ST. JOHN, Elizabeth - Betty St. John died peacefully at Butternut Manor, Uxbridge on Thursday, October 29, 2015.
Elizabeth Shiells Rae was born May 26, 1921 in Wingham, Ontario to Donald and Bessie Rae.
She left her parents and her siblings, Ronald, Ella, Murray and Bob and western Ontario to study nursing at the Toronto General Hospital graduating in 1944.
She married J. Russell St. John M.D., on September 29 that year.
After Russ completed his military service with the Army Medical Corps and with her firstborn child, they ventured to isolated Howley, Newfoundland where Russell was employed by Bowater Pulp and Paper as the community’s doctor.
Betty regaled her children and grandchildren with tales of their adventures, home deliveries with which she assisted, cooking and heating the iron on the wood stove, mummering and the warm hospitality in what was pre-confederation Newfoundland.
In 1948, Betty and Russ returned to his home town of Uxbridge where she raised her family of five children, volunteered in the community, provided a base for extended family, maintained close relations with a myriad of friends despite the demands of their medical life- she always loved a party.
She was predeceased by her parents, her siblings, her son Douglas St. John and her husband Russell St. John. Betty was devoted to her husband Russ of 69 years, proud of her children and took great delight in her grandchildren and their offspring who though far flung, visited whenever they could, sent photos and had email exchanges with their granny. She gave them all the greatest of gifts, roots and wings.
Betty will be missed and remembered fondly by her son Brian St. John and daughter Mary Bryon both of Uxbridge, son Wayne St. John of Bethany and daughter Sue St. John of Toronto; mother-in-law to Nancy St. John, Terry Bryon, Donna St. John and Lorraine Holding; grandmother to Melanie, Kelly, Rachel, Marcia, Rebecca, Meredith, Gillian and Douglas and great-grandmother to Jake, Keira, Wynton, Reuben, Callum, Bowen, John and Leona.
The family would like to thank Dr. T.F. Bryon, the compassionate staff of Butternut Manor for their wonderful care, palliative care workers of CCAC Cindy and Vera, Jen of Our Social Butterflies and caregivers Margaret, Gloria and Nancy of Day by Day.
A Celebration of Betty’s life will be held at St. Andrew’s Hall, St. Andrew’s-Chalmers Presbyterian Church, in Uxbridge on Friday, December 11th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the Uxbridge Cottage Hospital Foundation or charity of choice.
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