Elizabeth "Betty" (Friesen) Smith

Elisabeth (Betty) Smith, nee Friesen, in her 94th year, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Saviour Monday March 3rd, 2025. Loving mother to Janie (John) Wallace, and Carol Smith, grandmother to 4 granddaughters, Larissa (Kevin) Van Lochem, Karlene (Sean) Panici, Justine (Kevin) Desgagnes, and Laine LePoidvin and 8 great grandchildren, Landon, Talon, Helix, Grayson, Bauer, Corbin, Sawyer and Piper. Betty also has many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Roy of 51 years. A woman of strong faith, she grew up in a Mennonite family in Saskatchewan, one of 12 children, and sisters Kathy and Anne and brother George remain. She prayed for her family constantly and now her faith has become sight. We prayed she wouldn't suffer and our merciful God lovingly answered us. We praise God for His promise of eternal life and look forward to being reunited with Mom in heaven.

Known to her friends as Betty, she worked at GM on Ontario Street where she and Dad met. Betty worked at Sears at the Pen for many years. She also volunteered with the Hospital Auxiliary at the St. Catharines General Hospital, working in the gift shop where they raised money toward equipment for the new hospital. Betty was very active with the UCW at Westminster United Church where she worshiped for over 70 years. A member of the Niagara Heritage Quilters Guild for many years, she loved to make beautiful quilts and donate them to those in need. Betty worked with Community Care and received the Volunteer of the Year award. An avid traveler, she took many bus trips and loved going to theatre. Betty stayed informed and active in St. Catharines and would write letters and make phone calls to express her opinions about different matters. Always interested in socializing with her large circle of friends, she called and visited to keep up with their lives, giving rides to appointments and church. Betty enjoyed going for High Tea, trying different tea rooms in the area. She loved family picnics, showers, family reunions and holidays together. A resident at Niagara Ina Grafton Gage Village, she always participated in bingo, euchre and exercise classes, attending concerts and day trips.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Betty’s Life will be held at Westminster United Church, 180 Queenston Street in St. Catharines on Saturday April 12th at 11am. Family and friends will be received from 10-11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westminster United Church. www.westminsterunitedchurch.org.

On-line tributes may be made at www.hulseandenglish.com.