Henrietta Betty Doris George

Betty died peacefully in her daughter’s arms. Betty is predeceased by her beloved husband, Jack George. Survived by loving family: daughter Lindsey George and husband Peter Archibald and grandchildren Emma and Myles George-Archibald. Will be sadly missed by beloved siblings, sister Joan Addis and her son Ian Addis and, brother Cyril Neary (Doreen) and their children Jane, Alison and Vicky. Predeceased by her close friend, and aunt, Doris Dalton and son Geoff. Also predeceased by her second partner and loving companion John Crowe and her very good mate Gordon Price.

Great friend to Elsie Begora and her daughter Avie Edgridge (deceased), Win Arnold(deceased) and her daughter Jan Hewitt, who, together with Betty and Lindsey formed the Knitwits Social Club which had memorable, often hysterically good times, and organized extended and adopted family social events together for decades. She will be missed by the extended Knitwit clan.

Betty spent the war years in London. She met Jack at a dance shortly after he returned from four and a half years as a prisoner of war. Betty had spent the war living in London during the bombings but had resilience and carried on, marrying Jack and moving to Canada in 1957. Betty spent her work career as a manager of Canadian accounts for Firestone Rubber and Tire Company. She travelled all over Canada and made friends wherever she went.

After Jack died Betty travelled the world including a trip with WWII survivors to the Death Railway in Tailand and Burma where Jack had been a prisoner of war with the Japanese army. Even though this had been such a tough experience for Jack (the overwhelming majority of prisoners did not survive) when they moved to Canada and bought their first house, their next door neighbours were a Japanese-Canadian couple who became close friends. Betty and Jack were a remarkable example of acceptance, love and forgiveness.

After Jack died, Betty met John Crowe through the Knitwit extended family and had a happy life with John for 17 years. He became the adopted father and grandpa to Lindsey’s family. When Betty moved to a retirement residence after his death she met Gordon Price who became her mate until his death. Betty then moved to St. Joseph’s Villa where she received exemplary care at the end of her life. The family wishes to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the end of life care she received from the Pine Grove team at the Villa.

Betty died after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Dementia. Her ashes will last in two places: with her husband Jack, in Dundas, and, at her parents graves in London, England. Her last wish was for one more trip “home” to England. So Betty will have her wish to be “leaving on a jet plane” one more time. Betty had a great life. She was blessed with family and friends with whom she celebrated life regularly and well.

Charitable donations to the Betty and Jack George Fund at the Hamilton Community Foundation are welcome. The fund, in honour of Betty and Jack, was established by family to support at risk youth in Hamilton. Donations can be made care of the Betty and Jack George Fund, Hamilton Community Foundation, Suite 700, 120 King Street West, Hamilton, L8P 4Z2.

Online condolences may be made at www.marlattfhdundas.com