1928
2014
Bernice "Betsy" Giddens (nee Bint)
Born in 1928 in Saskatoon, Betsy was the youngest of five children in a lively, musical household. She had a lifelong love and reverence for her British immigrant parents, Benjamin and Florence. She frequently told stories of Ben, a bridge and rugby-playing grain inspector who taught English to new Canadians. Flo was an Anglican church-going early feminist whose agendas ranged from new immigrant support and care for unwed mothers to social uplift.
Shortly after birth, Betsy obtained her first library card and began an unending passion for reading. Her children grew up with an ever-present need to clear books from tables in order to make room to eat. Spaces between books were usually filled by newspapers, magazines, and cryptic crosswords. Her breadth of knowledge was staggering. Art, science, history, geography, politics, she was fired up and ready to discuss it all, in unnerving detail.
Betsy graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in microbiology and in the early 1950s moved to London, England where she worked as an RT in the pathology department at Guy's Hospital. The galleries,
museums, theatres, pubs and libraries of London enthralled Betsy. It was at a party in Soho that she met her future husband, architect Jos Giddens.
After their children, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Sarah and David were born; the family immigrated to Toronto in 1966. Jos and Betsy bought and improved two farm properties for the family to enjoy and the children recall happy summers with "Hurricane Betty" gardening, tending cows, golfing, cooking and reading. Jos and Betsy were advocates of the outdoors and exploring new places with their children. After Jos died in 1977, Betsy became an editor at Sears in their catalogue advertising and public bulletins department until she retired at age 64.
In her retirement years Betsy spent most of her time reading, but she also traveled to Hong Kong, climbed the Great Wall of China, bussed from Mexico City to Guatemala, did an archaeology tour of New Mexico, went birding in Costa Rica, hiked the wildflower pastures of Mount Robson and walked around London, Montreal and New York. Betsy frequently had the family over for dinners and in summer, to sit on her beloved ravine deck watching birds and cursing squirrels. She cherished her grandchildren and played endless games of cards with Gerry, Emi, Kate, Ted, Joe, Meg and Leah.
Betsy, like her mother, had a strong social conscience. She wrote letters for Amnesty International, volunteered for United Way and Red Cross, helped run the St Clements's church rummage sale and as a senior, helped organize
and cater a weekly bridge club for seniors. She was a lifelong donor to a variety of charities.
At the age of 77, Betsy was struck with the first obvious signs of vascular dementia which led to her death eight years later. Her family remembers well her devotion, her strong personality, sharp wit and her search engine
memory bank. Please donate to your favourite charity. Betsy would approve - as long as it isn't the Conservative Party.
Family and friends may call at the TRULL "NORTH TORONTO" FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE 2704 Yonge St. (5 blocks south of Lawrence Ave.) on Friday, April 11, 2014 from 12:30 pm until time of service. The service of remembrance will be held in the Trull Chapel at 1 pm.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
10 Entries
April 21, 2014
Chris & Wil
Thank you for sharing so much of Betsy's spirit and energy with us. It is a pleasure to read these memories of her and celebrate a life lived fully. Betsy's quick wit and joy of life live on in her children and the many people that knew and loved her.
April 10, 2014
Leslie Wolfe
Thank you for sharing so much of your Mum in this beautiful tribute. Please accept our love and condolences for your loss. We are thinking of you and sending hugs to you and your family. Love, Leslie, Earl and Shayna
April 10, 2014
Peter Myers
As a young man in my first real job, I had the great fortune to work with Bernice. My future wife and I once went to a dinner party at her house. I still remember the night. What a life. And how many people have been touched by this generous, witty, life enriching spirit
Peter Myers (Mississauga, On)
April 10, 2014
anne marie montgomery
Hope you will find comfort in knowing how proud Betsy was of all of you...During book club meetings and then on that memorable Mexico-Guatemala trip I heard much about you and her wonderful life. My sympathy.
April 10, 2014
Claire Brady
I remember Betsy very fondly even though I lived only briefly in Toronto. I particularly remember eating, drinking, smoking and laughing with the family on the deck. Reading her life story it really is a case of a life well lived and lived to the full. My sympathies to all the family.
April 10, 2014
Claire Brady
I remember Betsy very fondly from my brief time in Canada. Mostly sitting on the deck with the family eating, smoking, drinking and laughing! My deepest sympathy goes to the whole family. Reading her life story I'm left thinking; that was a life well lived!
April 9, 2014
Nina Tackaberry
Our deepest condolences to the family of Betsy for your loss of mother and grandmother. Reading her obituary was a journey in itself, an adventure in living life to the fullest. We will keep you close in our thoughts and memories.
Love, Brian and Nina
April 9, 2014
What a beautifully written tribute to a full life well-lived. It is evident Betsy's "larger than life" spirit will live on in all who had the privilege of knowing Betsy, no one more than her four children. We appreciate the belly laugh at the end of her obituary...no worries we will not be donating to the Conservative Party. Hugs to all who are celebrating Betsy's life and grieving their loss. <3 Nancy and Marc Duykers, (Winnipeg)
April 9, 2014
Linda Laughlin
It sounds like your mother was a wonderfully intelligent, vibrant woman with a big heart. Please accept my condolences on your loss.
April 9, 2014
Johnny Lucas
She is well remembered by many who knew her only a little, as is her family's loving support through her most difficult times. Wonderful to see such good traits get inherited.
Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results
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