KIRKNESS, Elizabeth “Betty” May (nee Hulton) -
July 11, 1935 - October 11, 2023
Elizabeth passed away at Amica Whitby on October 11, 2023 at the age of 88.
Predeceased by her parents Roy and May Hulton, and by her husband Merrill Ralph Kirkness.
She was a sister of Ken and Ron Hulton.
Elizabeth was the proud mother of Ray, Norm and Pauline as well as the grandmother of Scott, Andy, Colleen, Tamara, Ian, Mikhayla, Haileigh and loving great grandmother of Aurora, Ben and Eleanor.
She was born in Toronto, Ontario on July 11, 1935.
Elizabeth spent her formative years in the Oakwood and Rogers Road area where she developed many friendships largely through her neighborhood friends and family, church and the Christian Endeavour group that she belonged to as well as Rainbow for Girls.
Elizabeth attended Shaw Business College and upon graduation, became a Secretary for Dunwoody’s accounting and in 1957 she wed the love of her life Merrill.
She left the 9 to 5 life in 1960 and devoted herself to raising her family until the election of our 18th Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney when she was offered and accepted a staff position for former Member of Parliament, Pauline Browes.
Elizabeth held that position until the government switched parties in 1993. Her tenure in that position was certainly the proudest time that she spent in her working career.
Outside of her work life and family, Elizabeth held office in the local UCW and volunteered with several organizations including Zion Wexford United Church, the Wexford Hockey Association to name a couple of organizations that she assisted.
In her spare time, she was an avid card player – Euchre, Bridge and she was a Cribbage shark. She always loved to be involved in a conversation with family and friends. She also enjoyed traveling, mostly within Canada’s borders where she and Merrill visited every Province, and most on more than one occasion.
They briefly lived in Charlottetown in 1963 and temporarily relocated their family to Thunder Bay for 2 years in the 70’s.
Elizabeth enjoyed Camping and eventually, she and Merrill became cottage owners, first in Bobcaygeon and finally at Crystal Lake near Kinmount Ontario.
Finally, Elizabeth was a devoted and very loving Wife, Mother, Sister and friend that was much loved and will be forever missed.
Friends may call at THORNTON CEMETERY and FUNERAL CENTRE, 1200 Thornton Road North, Oshawa, (South of Taunton Road and off of Dryden Blvd, 905-579-6787) on Saturday, October 28, 2023 for visitation from 11 am until time of Celebration of Life in the Chapel at 12 noon.
Expressions of condolence may be left at etouch.ca .
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