PEARCE, Elizabeth Francis (Betty), nee Chambers. Died October 7, 2023, at the grand age of 104. Predeceased in 2014 by Dick, her best friend and dearly loved husband of 72 years. Betty leaves her son Michael (Kathy Karn), daughter Susan (Martha Ralph) and daughter Janet Gamble (Victor predeceased Betty in October 2020), as well as grandchildren Michelle, David (Rachelle), Roger Leavens (Claudia), Sarah Leavens (Bryce Conacher) and Meghan Gamble, great-granddaughters Cleo Sherfey, Yvette Leavens and Emma Pearce, and great-grandsons Ian Leavens, Adam Sherfey, Micah Pearce and Ryan Pearce. Betty was the only child of Arthur and Georgia Chambers, and was born in Grandview, Manitoba, where her father was a bank manager.

The family moved to Toronto when she was eight, and Betty joined the Toronto Skating Club. As a teenager, she and her partner won the Canadian Junior Pairs championship. Betty also skated in the annual carnival at Maple Leaf Gardens. She attended Brown School, Branksome Hall and the University of Toronto. When war broke out, she worked for the Wartime Price & Control Board and also volunteered at the army and navy canteens; she met her future husband at the latter. After her marriage in 1943 she followed Dick to the east coast where she lived both in Halifax and St. John’s, again volunteering. After the war, Betty became involved in the Women’s Association of the Canadian mining industry and was also a director of Dick’s company, Northern Miner Press Ltd. A member of the Granite Club for over 50 years, she was a successful curling skip. She also belonged to the Toronto Hunt and for many years volunteered at Toronto Rehab. Betty and Dick enjoyed travelling, wintering on Longboat Key in Florida, and cottaging at Cedar Point. Devoted to her family, Betty was clever, practical and generous. We shall miss that special sparkle in her eye.

Many thanks from the family to her very special long-time caregiver, Cory, who has become family, as well as Jeanette and Dina, and others through the years.

A private family gathering will be held. No flowers please. Condolences and memories would be welcomed online at www.etouch.ca Donations would be appreciated to either the CNIB, 1929 Bayview Ave., Toronto M4G 3E8 or the Sunnybrook Foundation, 2075 Bayview Ave., Toronto M4N 3M5.