1931 – 2017
It is with great sadness that the family of Betty Nicholson announce her passing at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton, NB, on February 2. She was born in 1931, the daughter of Thomas and Lucy Nisbet of Tyne Valley, PEI. After graduating from the Tyne Valley School, she enrolled in the Secretarial Program at the Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown. She then accepted employment with the headquarters of the PEI Library Association. Betty met her future husband, Jim Nicholson, at the Young Adult Club at the Charlottetown YMCA and they married in June 1955. They continue to be strong YMCA supporters. When they moved to the Amherst area in 1960, they discovered there wasn’t a YMCA there, so they were part of a group which started a Y’s Men’s Club and Betty became the charter President of the Y’s Menette’s Club. In 1966, after a year in England, they moved to Fredericton and joined the Epsilon Y’s Men’s Club where the family participated in many YMCA programs. Besides her husband, she is survived by their four children, nine grandchildren, and one precocious great-grandchild: Dan (Barb) Nicholson and their three children Jennifer (Dan) Hachey, Katie, and Greg (Ali Kaminskas) and their three children Ayden, Ava, and Ashton; Betsy (Jorn) Landva and their daughter Karin (Ethan Green); Andrew (Paula) Nicholson and their two children Emily and Laura; and Arnold (Clare) Nicholson and their three children Tom (Nicole Beckett), Alexa, and Sarah. Betty is also survived by three siblings – Margaret Kennedy of Summerside, PEI; Helen MacKay of Toronto, ON; and Ron (Olga) Nisbet of Oakville, ON; as well as, brother- and sister-in-law George and Lorna Nicholson of Crapaud, PEI, and by many nieces and nephews and other extended family. She was predeceased by her parents and four siblings: Jack, Arnold, Warren, and Lucy Forbes. Betty was a stay-at-home Mom and was chief care-giver and chauffeur for her children, as Jim travelled often for work. At various times, she volunteered at the YMCA, Pine Grove Nursing Home, Wilmot United Church, and Fredericton Community Kitchen. She also took up painting and very much enjoyed the fellowship of the Turps and the Fredericton Art Club. When her youngest child started school, Betty took up curling at the Capital Winter Club, where she continued until her recent illness. Betty was on teams which won several provincial titles: 2 Senior Mixed teams, 1 Senior Ladies team, and several Ladies Masters teams. She was also involved in organizing Club events and served as President of the Ladies Section. Betty and Jim have been active members of the Fredericton Botanic Garden Association from its early days. Betty was never happier than when foraging for wild berries with their children and grandchildren at their summer place at Maquapit Lake, NB. Many happy family memories were forged at the cottage, and children and grandchildren were introduced to the pleasures of arts, crafts, gardening, and water sports. Special thanks go to the Extra Mural Nurses, Meals on Wheels volunteers, and for the acts of kindness from many others who made it possible for Betty to stay at home for as long as she did. At Betty’s request, there will be no visitation. There will be a celebration of her life at Wilmot Church, 473 King St, Fredericton, on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at 2:00 pm with Reverend Rose-Hannah Gaskin and Reverend Ellen Beairsto officiating. A reception will follow the service in the church hall. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Fredericton YMCA, Fredericton Botanic Garden, Wilmot United Church, or the charity of your choice. McAdams Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.mcadamsfh.com.

Condolences