Helen Elizabeth "Betty" Gruchy

Betty was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on June 29, 1934, to Charles St. Clair and Esther (Mounce) Stayner. She died peacefully on the evening of August 22, 2024, at Parkland at the Gardens, where she had resided since 2020.

Betty is survived by her four children, Phil (Sylvie Ouellette), Steve (Rosemary Hall), Rick (Annika Renborg) and Sally (David Sinclair), her grandchildren, Alex Polley, Sam, Daisy, Will, Libby, and Erin Gruchy, and Erin and Matthew Sinclair, and her great grandchild, Logan Polley.

Betty grew up on Rhuland Street in Halifax. She attended Queen Elizabeth High School, followed by the University of Kings College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1955. Betty then completed a Master’s degree in Social Work at Dalhousie University's School of Social work in 1957, where she was part of the first class of graduates from her program.

Betty met her husband, David W. Gruchy, at the University of Kings College. They married in 1958 and moved to Truro, Nova Scotia, where Betty worked as director of the Children’s Aid Society of Colchester County. After the arrival of her first child in 1962, Betty remained actively involved as a board member of the Children's Aid Society. She maintained an active interest in the welfare of children and families in her community and was frequently called upon to provide her insights and expertise to various projects.

Betty and Dave gave freely of their time to various community organisations in Truro. As their children grew and began to develop an interest in music, they became actively involved in arranging and fund raising for numerous band and choir trips throughout Canada, the United States, and United Kingdom. After Betty and Dave moved to Halifax in 1992, Betty became active in volunteering her time to Palliative Care.

Betty imparted to her children and their many friends the importance of community, family time, respect for everyone regardless of their personal circumstances, and an appreciation for the many benefits of education. She also understood the lifelong benefits of travel for young people and devoted herself to this pursuit, to the benefit of her children and countless other children in Truro.

Betty and Dave enjoyed many winter ski trips with family and friends to Maine and Quebec. They especially enjoyed their time at the cottage on Shorts Lake, where the family continues to gather every summer.

Visitation will take place at JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr. Halifax, on Wednesday. August 28, 2024, from 6 to 8 pm. A funeral service will be held in Saint James Anglican Church at the Armdale Rotary in Halifax on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 11 am, with a reception to follow in the church hall. A private internment will take place after the reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Palliative Care Amenities Fund through the QE II Foundation (QE2foundation.ca/donations).