Vera Mary Ann Bettridge- Ashwell

Vera Bettridge-Ashwell, beloved wife of the late Edmund Vincent Bettridge (1961) and the late Charles Ashwell (1998)

Vera Mary Ann Snyder was born on March 16, 1920 in West Montrose. She is survived and will be missed by sister Ruth Durst of Waterloo,13 nieces and nephews, 24 great nieces and nephews and 7 great, great nieces and nephews. Sisters Ada Durst, Amy Eisenbach and Ethel Tuxford. and her brother Norman Snyder of Cambridge predecease her.

Vera’s love of teaching began in 1940 where her career included assignments at the Kennecott Public School, Sunnyside School in Kitchener, as well as positions in Breslau and Guelph. In 1953, Vera was hired by the Waterloo Region Separate School Board and worked as a teacher and later as a Special Education Consultant until her retirement in 1979 after 40 years in the teaching profession. In 1974, she obtained a BA degree from the University of Waterloo. She served as Secretary Treasurer for the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association in Waterloo and for 3 years as President of the Learning Disabilities Association in Etobicoke for 3 years.

Following her “retirement”, Vera moved to Toronto to set up the Special Education Department in Bayview Private School. She also established a private tutoring service called EDUCO Learning Centre, which supports students with learning disabilities. Throughout her life, she stayed involved with and continued to be a strong supporter of the teaching profession, encouraging study and specialization in the field of Special Education. She generously established endowments at several Canadian universities to provide scholarships and bursaries to students pursing careers in teaching. She also contributed to the Consolata Missionaries for the education of priests, the SOS Children’s Village of Canada and the Scarborough Foreign Mission Society for the countries of Africa.

Vera was an active member of the Catholic Women’s League, first in St. Boniface Parish, Maryhill and later at St. Andrew’s Parish in Etobicoke.

In 1945, Vera married Edmund Vincent Bettridge and together they operated a fur farm in Breslau, Ontario raising mink and foxes. When Ed was tragically killed in a car accident in 1961, she continued to operate the fur farm on her own until 1969.

In July 1986, Vera sold her farm and moved to Toronto and joined for life with Charles (Chuck) Ashwell. A year later, they designed and built their new home on Riverdale Drive where she resided until 2012. Sadly, Charles passed away in January 1998.

Vera travelled extensively, visiting every continent as well as all provinces in Canada. She was a prolific oil painter for many years and gave over 400 paintings to family and friends.

The family extends their deep appreciation to all staff of Woodland Alta Vista Care Community for the excellent care, support and kindness provided to Vera during the last five years. She will be greatly missed by her extensive family and many cherished friends. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kidney Foundation, the Diabetes Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Jennifer