OBITUARY
Betty Jane (Hill) Empringham
January 7, 1921 – January 14, 2021
Betty Jane Empringham (January 7, 1921) has gone to be with the love of her life Bill (William George E - February 19, 1920-April 14, 2002) as she passed on January 14, 2021, just a week after her 100th birthday.
Betty was born to new Canadian immigrants in St. Catharines, Ontario and was baptized at St. Paul St. United Church (now Silver Spire), where she was in the choir for 91 years and was a church member to the end. She lived her life in St. Catharines, raising her 4 boys: Ed (Jackie), Jim (Charlotte), John (Sue) and Bruce (Shirley). She also leaves 11 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, all of whom she valued immensely. She remained close to Peter Halicki and Mildred Muir, her remaining generational buddies and was close to her nephews and nieces and her rich circle of friends.
She was an immensely talented musician, transposing on the fly and playing at Ina Grafton up to Christmas 2019. Her love of music is seen in many of the family. She was a 100 year old who still knew what every one of her children, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces were up to every day and revelled in connections with people, still having quite a wide group of friends, both new and old. She thought her facebook birthday celebration was wonderful and certainly loved Facetime, though it was sometimes an adventure.
The biggest lesson she leaves us with is that people are really all that matter, not things. To honour Betty, please take a moment to reach out to someone who needs it today. The world will be better place through that kindness. Thanks to the wonderful caregivers in her last week and to the wonderful people at Ina Grafton. If you want to make a donation, Betty wanted these to go to Silver Spire United Church or Niagara Ina Grafton Gage Village, both in St. Catharines. Covid19 continues to impact our celebration of Betty and we will be having an online celebration live streamed from Silver Spire United Church on January 23, 2021 at 12 noon. The link is:
Silverspire.ca and click on the livestream link (takes you to streamspot where it will be showing live at noon).
DONATIONS
-
Ina Grafton Gage Village
413 Linwell Road , St. Catharines, Ontario L2M 7Y2
- Silver Spire Church
Services
-
Private Funeral Service with Livestreaming
Saturday, January 23, 2021
Memories
Betty Jane (Hill) Empringham
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYFerne Holmes
January 21, 2021
To the Empringham Family ~ Please accept our sincerest thoughts of love & sympathy on the passing of Betty Jane Empringham ~She lived a very long life filled with many accomplishments and the love of family~ A very kind , warm & friendly lady who will be dearly missed & remembered by all her knew her~
Pauline Leadley & Family
Silver Spire
Robert Symons
January 19, 2021
January 19, 2021
Ed, Jim, John , Bruce & families,
On behalf of mom 92 & dad who passed 5 years ago today, we extend our sympathy to you all on the passing of Betty. She had a long life filled with memories. We remember the New Years Eve parties that rotated from house to house with that group of young adults from St. Paul Street United all having families, playing bridge and doing other fun activities (beat the clock, etc.), centered around music and choir.
Best wishes.
Bob Symons, Helen & John all of Waterloo, and Carolyn, Peter Wenzler & Emma (age 5), all of Windsor, Ontario.
Carol Marson
January 19, 2021
Bruce, Shirley, and the entire Empringham family,
My sincere condolences on your loss. I wish you strength in the days ahead, and may all the good memories of her time with you sustain you now and always.
Carol Marson
Kathy Donaghue
January 18, 2021
I remember Betty well she was a good friend to my late mother Irja Donaghue while they lived at Ina Grafton. I remember Betty being so lively and with quite the sense of humour the two of them shared that sense of humour. She was an impressive force of nature rest well Betty and say hi to my Mom
Phyllis Hull
January 18, 2021
Betty, what a wonderful influence you were on so many. Through the difficulties we were all going through when I was chair of church council, to you knowing the exact amount of egg salad to put on the sandwiches we made in the kitchen of St. Paul Street Church.
I will remember you always!
Marsha &Mike Bukata
January 18, 2021
A wonderful woman and will be missed.
Marsha & Mike Bukata
formally from St Catharines now live in London Ontario
Judy Chamberlain
January 17, 2021
Betty was very welcoming when I first started attending St Paul St United Church back in the late '70's. She was always very interested in what was happening in your life. Our girls enjoyed talking to Betty and eating her delicious cookies. And Betty was a great mentor to Kathryn during her confirmation year. I will miss Betty's phone calls.
We will all miss Betty.
Love, Judy, Wayne and family
Debra Kingsley
January 16, 2021
I sang with Betty in the choir of Silver Spire Church. I was only there one year and Betty made it an enjoyable experience - lovely, friendly and supportive. My condolences to the family - so sad to lose this beautiful lady.