Ms. Helen Elizabeth “Betsy” Stuart

I am sorry to hear of the loss to your family of Betsy. We were friends in high school and at Sir George Williams University where we shared laughter over tea many times. I did not know her as a mature adult but she seems to have been a very caring and compassionate person in our world. My thoughts are with you at this time.

So sorry for your loss. Many of my memories of Betsy go back almost 50 years to when she would visit, many times at her Mom & Dad's cottage in Grand Bay, NB. She was a lot of fun. She and Patsy cam to the east coast for a visit about 10 years ago and it was a great day. Take Care

O’ Betsy I keep waiting for the phone to ring, then your lively voice ready to entice me on another adventure. Alas our last adventure was getting “tipsy” at our local, staggering back to your place, laughing and joking all the while. I remember, over the 25 years we knew each other, many of our adventures ranging from me taking you on your first camping trip (you were such a trouper even with the rain), beach hikes, life drawing classes and many museum and art gallery visits. We had many challenging discussions about life and love. I will miss you always, you are my great love.

Betsy was my student when she did her Social Work degree and she was a beautiful person. After completing her degree she continued to volunteer for us at Mustard Seed Fontbonne Ministries. She had a big impact on many of the people who came to our drop in on Saturdays. She will be missed by everyone and I will be praying for her family.l

Betsy volunteered in the Community Meals Program twice a week for our dinner program. She would work with a few other volunteers to help prepare the meals, serve the meals to our guests (those living with complex challenges and homeless) and clean-up. When we were short help in the breakfast program Betsy took the initiative to offer her support to come in at least once a week to help out in the kitchen very early in the morning. Betsy was a great value to the meals program but also understanding, empathic and compassionate towards the people we serve. If I could remember a few things that stood out about Betsy is she was always so caring and a hard worker in whatever task she was given and was liked by her fellow volunteer colleagues at the Centre. It is sad to see her go, but she will never be forgotten as she has done well in her lifetime. My heart goes out to her family and friends - I hope that peace and comfort helps you get through this difficult time. - Varshanie (Volunteer Program Coordiantor at St. Felix Centre)

Thank you Betsy for your compassionate heart and for your long-time commitment to Mustard Seed Fontbonne Ministries, Saturday Drop-in. Your gentle spirit and kind smile will be deeply missed.

Please accept my prayers and condolences as you grieve for Betsy through this difficult time. I’m hoping this memory will help a little: I remember Betsy as Janet’s little sister....when we were all playmates on Prince Street in Saint John ( along with Lester Miles). We had such fun together, in one house or the other, day after day. In one of our family albums is a photo of all us kids sitting on a bench, squirming, wanting to get back to our playtime... I will be thinking of those times in the days to come, wishing also that I had known her as an adult. She sounds like an amazing woman. God bless you all.

My deepest condolences to Betsy's family. I was very saddened to hear of Betsy's passing. Betsy was a colleague and mentor - but most of all a kindred spirit. A thoughtful, kind and generous person with an overflowing sense of curiosity, I am fortunate to have called her a friend.

Heartfelt sympathies to Betsy's family, especially to Ann & Glen, as well as to everyone else who knew & cared about Betsy. In the late 1980s, our families lived across the street from each other on Scarborough Rd, Toronto when her kids (Ann & Glen) and our son, Chris, were small. She was a good friend to me, always kind, supportive & helpful.