Our mom Betty passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the FJ Davey Home on Monday, January 22, 2024 in her 92nd year.
She was born March 18, 1932 to the late Lawrence and the late Marion (nee Clarke) MacMillan six years to the day following the birth of her sister, Shirley Meyers (Marty). In her teenage years, she worked at the Algoma Theatre as an usher and cashier, and then at Bell Canada.
Betty and Harry Joseph Baum were married on April 24, 1951 and they went on to have five children: Brenda Warnock (Alan), Terry (Maryann), Diane Deslippe (Tom), Steven (Linda) and Robert (Norma Jean). She was the proud grandmother of 13 grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Harry passed away on February 27, 1992 and mom became a widow for sixteen years. She remarried in 2008 to Harry Allison Davis and together they travelled, participated in activities at the Seniors Drop In Centre and challenged each other in many a game of crib.
As well as caring for her family, Betty was a volunteer with the YMCA and Seniors Drop In Centre. In her forties, mom joined the YMCA to learn how to swim. She went on to become a swimming instructor and for her work with adults and children, she received many awards and recognitions. Ultimately, she was given an outstanding service certificate from Health and Welfare Canada. Working as a volunteer at the Seniors Drop In Centre, mom taught calligraphy and tole painting and participated in many fund raising activities.
Betty was a no-nonsense kind of person. You never had to wonder what she thought. She stood up for what she thought was right. Mom had a zest for life. “Feisty” was often used to describe her. Protection and care of her family was foremost. And even while living with dementia, she fought for her independence often using humour to navigate her world. You will be missed mom.
Friends and family are invited to visit at Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, 705-945-7758) on Monday, January 29, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service to be held in the Chapel on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with Mrs. Helen Smith officiating. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial donations to the FJ Davey Home would be greatly appreciated by the family. Thank you to Dr. Hirvi and the FJ Davey Home, especially Birch Lane One for your dedicated care of Mom. www.northwoodfuneral.com
And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always irregularly.
Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be better.
For they existed.
(excerpt from When Great Trees Fall by Maya Angelou)