On Saturday, December 6, 2014, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Madeline Eunice Betts passed peacefully from this world. She is survived by her daughter, Carole, and sons, David, Peter, Richard and Robert (Carol) and grandchildren, Rob, Aric, Bryan and Laurissa, as well as great-grandchildren, a niece and nephews. Madeline’s husband, Robert, sister, Annette, daughter-in-law, Sharyn, and granddaughter, Heidi, predeceased her.

Madeline was born May 12, 1915 in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of Elizabeth and Walter Bainbridge Alwin. She was schooled in England, New Jersey and New York, where she studied at the Art Career School in the penthouse of the iconic Flatiron building. It was at high school in New Jersey, however, that Madeline met Robert Lanning Betts and in 1942, she boarded a ship bound for Mutton Bay, Quebec to marry him. The pair spent two years of the Second World War on a ship as well, where he practiced dentistry.

In Newfoundland, Doctor Betts worked for the Grenfell Mission, practicing in various outports. Madeline helped with the distribution of supplies for rug hooking, a cottage industry there at that time; she also drew the designs to be hooked on the brin (burlap).

The Betts moved to Eastport, Maine in 1969 and Madeline opened Yesterware Antiques next to Robert’s dental office. In Eastport, she forged lifelong friendships with people she considered her second family. Nevertheless, the family moved back to Newfoundland in 1978 before their final move to Charlottetown in 1985.

After Robert died in 1996, Madeline worked with antiques and collectibles again at flea markets and a store, Jumbles and Gems, on Victoria Row. In her late 90s, she returned to her art, taking classes regularly until just a short time before her death. Madeline Betts was an inspiration to all who knew her, and she will be sorely missed. Bon voyage, Madeline!

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Madeline's life at Ellen's Creek Gallery at 6 p.m. Saturday, December 13.

Hommages