Betty Birce

Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Birce passed away in her 101st year on July 3 with her daughter, Debbie, at her side. It was a peaceful end to a long life well lived.

Betty was predeceased by her husband, Lloyd Murray Birce (1921-1988) and her eldest daughter, Patricia Jean Hudacek (1955-1999).

She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Lynn (Debbie) Timmins, Deb’s husband, Randy, and her granddaughters, Kendra and Jenna, all of whom will miss her deeply.

Betty will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews from the Metcalf, Birce and Church families.

Betty was not only Kendra and Jenna’s grandmother, but she was ‘Grandma Birce’ to the girls’ cousins and friends. Randy’s sister Janet, and her husband, David Dauphinee, were particularly kind and generous to Betty.

Betty was born on March 9, 1925, in Toronto. Christened Mary Elizabeth Metcalf by her mom, Margaret Kennedy (nee Anderson) and her dad, Herbert Metcalf, Betty was welcomed by her big sister, Margaret Dorothy (Do) Metcalf (1912-1983) and her big brother, Harold (Hal) Edward Metcalf (1919-2011). Her second sister, Emma Jean, died as a child (1916-1917).

Betty married Murray Birce on September 29, 1951, in Toronto. The newlyweds moved to Windsor, Ontario where their first daughter, Patricia, was born in 1955. The family relocated to London, Ontario where their second daughter, Debbie, was born in 1957.

In the mid-60s, the Birce family returned to Windsor. Betty earned her teaching degree and began an 18-year career as a kindergarten teacher. Interestingly, Pat and Debbie also became teachers, as did Betty’s sister — her granddaughter Jenna is continuing the tradition.

Betty spent many of her retirement years in Windsor, but in 2006 she moved to London where she enjoyed her own, self-contained apartment in Debbie and Randy’s home.

When Debbie and Randy retired and moved to Toronto, Betty did too. It was a homecoming of sorts. Betty often reminisced about growing up on Pape Avenue and her early life in Toronto. When she was able, she and Debbie would drive all over the city to see buildings, parks and places that had a connection to an aunt or uncle, grandfather or friend. These outings sparked many memories for Betty – memories that always brought her joy. The stories she told, and the way she told them, reinforced what a decent, warm, beautiful person she was – and continued to be – right to the very end.

Betty ‘s last few years weren’t always easy, but even as she lost her ability to do the things she loved, she never lost the one thing that she will perhaps be most remembered for: her kindness.

Betty never wanted to be the centre of attention, so it is no surprise that she insisted there be no funeral or memorial service. We ask that you show someone a special act of kindness in her honour – a simple yet fitting way to celebrate Betty’s life.