The Life of Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Gilmore Mary Elizabeth Gilmore passed away at Stratford General Hospital, Stratford, Ontario on Wednesday April 17, 2013. Betsy was born in London, Ontario, on April 27th 1933, shortly before her family moved to Stratford. She attended Falstaff Public School, then Stratford Collegiate Vocational Institute until the family moved to Victoria, B.C., where for two years she attended Victoria College. Returning with her family to London for a year, then returning to Stratford. Betsy attended the University of Western Ontario, earning her B.A degree in 1955. Continuing her education at Toronto Teacher’s College, she earned her Primary Specialist’s Diploma in 1956. Following this, Betsy embarked on her teaching career of 32 years with the Toronto Board of Education. After three years of teaching kindergarten, Betsy was contracted to train at Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton, Massachusetts, becoming a specialist teacher of the deaf for the Toronto Board of Education. Using the oral method of teaching speech and language, Betsy taught children in pre-school, kindergarten, primary, intermediate, and senior classes at Metropolitan Toronto School for the Deaf, where she also assisted in Teacher Training for Ontario and New York State Teacher of the Deaf Training Programmes. After four summers at Columbia University Teacher’s College, in New York City, in 1965, Betsy earned her Master of Arts degree in the Education of the Hearing Impaired. In 1980, she completed two summers at the Faculty of Education at the University of Toronto, earning qualification as a Teacher of Secondary School students. Transferring to Northern Secondary School in Toronto, Betsy taught in the Hearing Impaired Department until her retirement in 1988. Pursuing a different area of education, Betsy trained as a First Aid and Health Care Instructor with St. John Ambulance, then for several years, taught in venues throughout Toronto, as well as at the Stratford branch of St. John’s Ambulance. In 1989, Betsy received a Province of Ontario Volunteer Service Award and a St. John’s Ambulance Priority Vote of Thanks award for her assistance in training deaf adults as C.P.R instructors for St. John’s Ambulance. She was also a volunteer educator in Toronto for the Osteoporosis Society. Returning to reside in Stratford in 1992, Betsy embarked on volunteer service in various areas, including the St. John’s United Church Pre-school; Stratford General Hospital leisure activities programme, then the GAGS humour programme; Cedarcroft Place Auxiliary; Friends of the Stratford Public Library; and Tourism Stratford, as a city tour guide. As a member of St John’s United Church, Betsy served for many years on the Outreach Committee of the Official Board, and for several years as a member of the Fund Raising Committee. As a member of the Inner Wheel Club of Stratford, she served as president for two years, and also served on the Programme Committee. She has also been an active member of the Canadian University Women’s Club of Stratford, serving on the Programme Committee. Other affiliations include: past member of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society, until closing of the Stratford chapter; Royal Ontario Museum; Stratford Perth Museum; Gallery Stratford; The Stratford Festival of Canada and Stratford Camera Club. Pre-deceased by her parents: Dr. W.M Gilmore (1986) and Marion (Grant) Gilmore (1996) and her Brother, Terry (1987). Betsy will be missed by her sister Edith and her husband Dan Marshall of Waterloo; niece Marion (Marshall) and her husband, Don Capes and children Ryan and Jenna; nephew David Marshall and his wife Anna, and their children: Sarah, Grace, Peter, Daniel, Hanna Rose, Luke, Faith, Matthew and Isaac. She will also be missed by niece Catherine Marshall and her fiancé Jim Matthews; and her children: Meredith and Tommy Watson. She also will be missed by her sister-in-law, Jean (Osborne) Gilmore; her nephew, Peter Gilmore; and her nieces Julia Gilmore and Caroline Gilmore; and by many cousins and their children. Fondly remembered by Jim and Shelly Marshall and Holly, Jamie, Eric and Scott and Bob and Suzanne Marshall, Josh, Christina and Jon. Numerous wonderful friends greatly enriched Betsy’s life and were deeply appreciated over the years as they shared experiences and interests and provided wonderful support through the difficult times. Betsy always emphasized the importance of communication and expansion of interests and experiences. These were closely related in her life and included: travel, photography, theatre, music (especially Big Band), literature, wildlife, and nature conservation, science, medical research, art, writing, reading, learning new information, and promotion of Stratford and The Stratford Festival. She treasured special times with family and friends, and enjoyed life with a positive approach and sense of humour. Friends will be received by the family on Friday April 26, 2013 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at James A. Rutherford Funeral Home at 156 Albert Street, Stratford, Ontario. A celebration of Betsy’s Life will take place at St. John’s United Church, 175 Waterloo Street N., on Saturday April 27, 2013 at 11 a.m. with Reverend Charlie Love officiating. A reception at the church will immediately follow the service. Interment will be at Avondale Cemetery after the reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betsy’s memory to St. John’s United Church (Pre-school) or the Stratford General Hospital Foundation through the funeral home at www. jarfh.com