ELIZABETH ANNE GEORGIA TORNEY MURRAY “BETTY ANNE”
Elizabeth Anne “Betty Anne” Murray (Dec 7, 1935 – May 12th, 2026)

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Betty Anne Murray, who left us at the age of 90. A strong, brilliant and elegant woman who lived a long and beautiful life. Betty Anne was in excellent health, until her final days with us. She was surrounded by her loved ones, Catherine, Howard & Les.

Born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, to Catherine Vera Price & George Ralph Torney, and raised in British Columbia, she was the eldest of five children. She gained a good start with a successful junior and senior high school career, at the top of her class, and elected by the entire high school to be the first May Queen (she still has the pendant) She was also class valedictorian, 1954. She was a strong believer that education was essential and paved the way for opportunity. Her mother graduated with a university degree in Economics at age 17, which inspired Betty Anne to complete her BScN., University of British Columbia. She largely financed her education with the help of bursaries and loans, which she proudly paid off over a few years by moving to Toronto to pursue nursing, and lived with an elderly lady (to keep rent at a minimum). After one year as a Public Health Nurse, she was given responsibility for the largest school in the district—Riverdale Collegiate. And was also given responsibility as Head Nurse in a public baby clinic. Betty Anne preferred business to nursing, and always ahead of her time, became a salesperson at Kendall Co (promoting baby products & teaching prenatal classes).

Through the Healthcare industry, she met her husband Howard Ives Murray (1924-2006), President of the Harts Company (medical equipment). Four months later they were married until his passing, one month shy of their 43rd anniversary. Their marriage was a devoted partnership, completely aligned when it came to values, how to live life, and raising their children. Selflessly, they adopted two children, and established a stable, loving home, dedicated to give their children every advantage to reach their full potential and excel. She ensured they received the finest education including Montessori and private schools. Ahead of her time again, as Montessori was a new concept to America). Betty Anne ensured her children had a vibrant and active life skating, skiing and piano lessons. A proper healthy dinner was a nightly ritual in their home—preservatives were never allowed. She adored spending time with her granddaughter Emily and had a special love for her grandson Jonathan.

Betty Anne was pioneer, completing a full-time M.B.A. program in June 1979 while married with two young children. She was one of a handful of women at York University’s MBA program (now Schulich) and was hired by Bank of Nova Scotia to take part in their Management Training program. This despite her age of 43, and that she had applied once before and been refused. Betty Anne poured immense energy into her daughter’s figure skating career—spending six hours a day at the rink, 6 days a week, sewing dresses, and even completing algebra homework during practice sessions so she could help later in the evening. She sought out Olympic coaches and celebrated every success as their shared triumph.

After Howard’s death, Betty Anne and Catherine grew even closer. For the past 20 years, they did everything together, depending on, and supporting one another with: daily calls, every holiday, dinners, coffees and trips to Florida. In December she moved into a retirement home to be closer to Catherine and Les, which they cherished.

In her later years, Betty Anne’s wit and humour blossomed. She remained remarkably sharp, self-sufficient, and ahead of her time—starting to invest at age 60, trading stocks online and building a strong portfolio. She never suffered fools, avoided keeping up with the Joneses, and lived by her own principles. True to her actuarial prediction from decades earlier, she often said she wouldn’t live past 91 (she was rarely wrong), her daughter and doctor didn’t believe it.

Betty Anne was generous, selfless and loving. She sacrificed without hesitation for her family and took immense pride in their achievements. She would watch Catherin’s Television show and send a beautiful text to her afterwards saying how proud she was.
Those daily texts, calls and voicemails will be crushingly missed by her daughter. A forever void. She will be remembered for her grace, class, smarts, strength, and unwavering dedication to those she loved.

She is survived by her daughter Catherine & husband Les, son Howard and granddaughter Emily, brother Ian, and predeceased by her grandson Jonathan.

Rest in peace, dear mummy. We love you.