Elizabeth 'Betty' Nearing
Lieu de naissance : New Waterford, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Lieu de décès : River Ryan, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de décès : 2 octobre 2010
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of a cherished wife, loving mom and grammy, dear sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend, Elizabeth Louise 'Betty' Nearing, 76, on Oct. 2, 2010 following a lengthy, courageously battled illness.
Born in New Waterford, April 23, 1934, she was a daughter of the late Grant and Hilda (MacPhee) Campbell.
Until recently, Betty resided with her family on "Carpenter's Hill", River Ryan, and was a devout member of St. Leonard's parish.
Receiving her early education in New Waterford, Betty graduated from Holy Angels Convent High School and in 1954 from Nova Scotia Teachers' College. She taught Grades 3 to 6 at Saint Agnes Elementary School in New Waterford.
In 1960, she met Louis, her husband-to-be and best friend, and they married on July 1, 1961. Following the birth of her first child, she took a hiatus from teaching, choosing instead, to be a stay at home wife and mom. She returned to teaching in the early 1970s in the New Waterford and area schools as a substitute. Much of her time was spent at the school directly across the street from her home, St. Michael's Elementary.
In 1988, Betty officially retired from teaching when she became a grammy, a role she could not wait for and adored.
Most of all, Betty loved her family and friends and the pleasure of their company. We always knew there would be a feed of spaghetti and meatballs when we came home (Mary's recipe circa 1971) and most certainly a cup of tea and a little something to go with it. Betty especially enjoyed attending her niece, Dana's wedding in Ottawa in September 2007, as this was a great opportunity for a family reunion.
She was a well-known woman of few words and one who never complained ... a trait that was clearly evident as she so bravely faced each health challenge.
Surviving are her loving husband of 49 years, Louis; her children, Shannon (Alan Cameron), Halifax, and Stephen (Renee), McMinnville, Tenn., U.S.A.; granddaughters, Lauren Cox, Shelby Nearing, Layne (Chad) Mullins and Grace Cameron; brother, Lionel (Vivienne), Ottawa; sister, Mary (Connie) Morrison, Sydney; brothers and sisters-in-law, Fran Campbell, Greg (Norma) Nearing, Joan (Charlie) MacLean, Karen (Art) Fraser; 19 nieces and nephews and dear caregivers, Gloria, Lorraine and Jennifer McNeil, whose presence made it possible for her to remain at home as long as possible.
She was predeceased by her siblings, Maureen Anthony and Kevin Campbell, sister-in-law, Frances 'Cookie' Nearing and brother-in-law, Reg Anthony.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral mass of celebration for Betty will take place Thursday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Fr. Doug MacDonald officiating. Cremation will follow with burial in St. Michael's Cemetery at a later date. A luncheon will be held in the Carmel Centre immediately following the funeral mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia or a charity of one's choice.
Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
"The Angels sang "Amazing Grace",
The Lord came down and touched her face.
He held her hand and whispered low,
Come with Me it's time to go.
The gates of Heaven opened wide
And the angels lined up side by side.
A special gift was on her way,
The day God took her home."
