April 11, 1933 – June 17, 2022
Our mother slipped away Friday afternoon after a peanut butter cookie and a nice cup of tea prepared by her cherished caregiver Virgie.
Loving wife of Peter for 64 years, mother to Mark, Paul, Katherine (Scott) and Beth. Proud grandmother to Grace, Claudia, Jake and Megan. Mom was born in Toronto to Clare and Aileen Carruthers. She attended Lawrence Park Collegiate followed by Victoria University at the University of Toronto. Mom was wonderful with people, always finding the good in everyone. She had a wonderful sense of humour, which she passed on to her children and grandchildren.
Before becoming a dedicated volunteer then senior manager of the Canadian Hearing Society for years, Mom did volunteer work at VOICE, Brown Junior Public School, and University Women’s Club. She made many friends at all and especially adored her friends from the Canadian Hearing Society.
A Life Master Bridge player (she especially appreciated long time partner Janet Ainslie, and her whole Tuesday night bridge club) she was a natural at poker (just ask the dealers and locals at the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas). Mom was very competitive and loved all kinds of card and board games. She was a voracious reader and would spend time quietly reading with her beloved golden retrievers at her feet.
Mom loved time with her family weekends at Mulmur and took great pride in her garden.
She also loved trips to Vegas. Indeed the whole family celebrated mom’s noteworthy birthdays in Vegas! We have video footage of mom shooting craps on her 80th birthday.
An avid monarchist, she kept up with everything related to British history. Mom loved all her trips to England, especially the one she took to London with granddaughter Grace and daughter Beth. Her last trip was to a tour of Downton Abbey, one of her favourite tv shows.
Special thanks to her wonderful caregivers Virgie, both Arlenes, and Ardene, true angels, and Mom’s incredibly compassionate GP Dr Katja Heineck of House Calls.
In lieu of flowers might you please consider a donation to VOICE, voicefordeafkids.com an organization mom helped set up in the early ’60’s.
Visitation will take place Monday June 27th, 5 to 8 pm, Morley Bedford Funeral Home (159 Eglinton Ave W).
A Celebration of Life will take place Tuesday June 28th, 4 pm at Grace Church-on-the-Hill (300 Lonsdale Rd) with a reception immediately following.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Helen Joan Beattie 2022..
Morley Bedford Funeral Services Ltd
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario