1923- 2019
Elizabeth (Betty) was born near London, England on August 11, 1923. As a young lady, she enjoyed family and friends, ice skating and field hockey. At the onset of WWII, she was employed by Barclay’s Bank, of London. When asked, she would relate her experiences of The London Blitz, sleeping in the bomb shelter in the back garden of the family home, waking to shell fragments outside the door, witnessing the damage to structures and loss of life, all while carrying on a daily routine. During the war years, she met an American serviceman, Gilbert Toner. After he had returned Stateside he completed his degree in 1948, he then invited Betty to cross the pond and “see how they lived in The Wild, Wild West”. Betty accepted this invitation, but carried with her the funds for a return fare should she not care for what awaited her. The warm, welcoming family that greeted her swayed her decision to accept Gil’s proposal and they were married August 14, 1948. A home in Seattle was soon filled with children and Betty embraced her role of wife, mother, homemaker.
Betty was soon enlisted into the Children’s Orthopedic Hospital Lawrence Coleman Guild. She made many dear friends, and was a tireless volunteer for Penny Drive and other fundraising efforts. For several years she led tours of the ever expanding hospital. In her later years she volunteered as cashier or sorter at the Seattle Children’s Hospital Bargain Boutique, even at 90 years of age she served with a radiant smile.
Husband Gilbert passed away in 1986. Betty kept a stiff upper lip and carried on, always fiercely independent. She continued to walk daily along the trail, and enjoyed swimming three times each week. She discovered the “Senior Safari” travel group and took great delight in safely exploring the far horizons with fellow adventurers.
Betty was an avid reader, history buff, enjoyed gardening and “soaking up the sun”. She was a skilled operator of her sewing machine and clicked off stitches knitting many a “cardigan” and hats. She baked a mean mince pie, enjoyed her four granddaughters, and her family was very important to her.
Preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert in 1986, and the loss of her youngest son, Edward in 2016. Betty was always there with loving care, ready to help however needed.
Betty passed away August 7, 2019, just a few days shy of her 96th birthday. Dearly loved, her absence a gaping hole left by such a petite beauty.
Betty is survived by daughters Susan (Gary) Anderson, Barbara (Ron) Shilling and son Michael Toner, granddaughters Carrie, Jessica, Anne Shilling and Elli Anderson, and 5 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrance made to Seattle Children’s Hospital.
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