Flood, Betsy (Elizabeth Anne)
July 9, 1941- September 2, 2022
Betsy passed away peacefully at her beloved home, StoHo on Friday September 2, 2022. She was born in Toronto and was the only daughter of Richard Graham Flood and Phyllis Morley Flood. Betsy is survived by her many beloved cousins in Canada, the USA and England and over the years she visited them regularly.
Betsy lived a rich and interesting life. Having received her B.A. from Queen’s University and her M.A from the University of Toronto in History, Betsy taught at Bathurst Heights S.S. and Earl Haig S.S. for over 30 years. She was noted for her curriculum initiatives in the World Religions course. Students and staff respected her and many were still in contact with her.
Betsy will also be missed and celebrated by her many lifelong and cherished friends around the world. Friends were like her family. They sought her sage advice and appreciated her listening skills. Her love of travel took her around the world, often accompanied by friends.
Betsy was a lifetime strong supporter of Initiatives of Change (IofC, formerly MRA) in Canada and abroad, applying its philosophy of ‘being the change you want to see in the world’ in her daily life, in her teaching and in her care for the environment. The friendships and working relationships she developed in IofC’s global network and her interest in its programs, particularly for young people, took her to many countries. She served both as a member and as chair of IofC Canada’s board.
Betsy had a wide variety of interests. She was a keen photographer and student of painting and pottery. Her favourite chair usually had a good book and a bag of knitting beside it. A long time subscriber to the Toronto Symphony and Canadian Opera she also supported the ROM and the McMichael Gallery. She was an active member of the Tecumseth and West Gwillimbury Historical Society and the Tottenham Garden Club.
StoHo was the place of her “heart”. There she thrived, producing abundant flower and vegetable gardens to share with grateful recipients. Many were invited to experience the peace and tranquility of her beloved Stoho.
A Memorial Visitation will be held at Rod Abrams Funeral Home 1666 Tottenham Rd., Tottenham on Sunday September 25, 2022 from 1:00pm until time of Memorial Service in the chapel at 2:00pm. Reception to follow in the Cliffside Hall at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers you may wish to contribute to the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Society Canada or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left at www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com.
*****To view a recording of the funeral service, please click here to be taken to the Funeral Home Facebook page. *****
Service
Memorial Visitation
Rod Abrams Funeral Home
1666 Tottenham Road, Tottenham Ontario L0G1W0
Sunday September 25, 2022
1:00PM - 2:00PM
Memorial Service
Rod Abrams Funeral Home
1666 Tottenham Road, Tottenham Ontario L0G1W0
Sunday September 25, 20222:00PM
Caroline Edwards says
Dear Betsy
You will always have a special place in my heart, dear friend and wise mentor. I remember picking you up from the airport in Geneva and the long perilous drive up the mountain in the ice and snow to Caux for the MRA Education Conference in 1976. We remained lifelong friends although I only saw you on two occasions after that–once in my home town of Perth, Western Australia in the early 80s and the other, when my husband John and I visited you at your beautiful garden paradise, StoHo in 2019. Both being teachers, we had much in common and I always felt your deep and abiding love for and interest in your pupils and friends around the world–including students who had disengaged and/or who struggled with complex issues (such as those whom I taught at St Clare’s for 14 years). I was also in awe of how, with your mum, you created the stunning gardens and lake at StoHo out of bare earth. And even though you were affected by Parkinsons (& had to have a little nap in the afternoon) you managed to collect us from the train station and afterwards you thoughtfully drove us even further to another station because it would be a shorter ride back to Toronto for us. We will always treasure that lovely afternoon in your company, making lunch together, reminiscing and strolling the gardens in quiet reflection. May you rest in peace dear friend xxx
Anne Fleming says
“Aunt” Betsy was a close friend of my parents and she was a very welcome guest at various family holiday functions. She was warm, generous, and thoughtful to us, from gifting extra opera tickets to regularly phoning after my parents had passed to make sure my sister and I were doing well. We loved visiting her little farmhouse and walking her beautiful property, though we never did get around to taking a dip in the pond! My last visit was during COVID in the fall of 2020. We had a lovely chat on her porch, admiring the colours. She will truly be missed.
Jennifer Chasse says
Aunt Betsy – thank you for your inspiring adventurous spirit and sharing what you learned from your travels. I will cherish the memories of the extended family dinners at the house on Rose Hill in Vermont, chatting with you, your wonderful stories and great advice.
Jonathan and Jaya Martin, Isle of Man says
Betsy was very dear to both of us. We kept in touch via phone calls and emails regularly until she became ill. Our visit to Stoho in 2014 was one of the most memorable times for us both. We’re thankful we managed to talk with her just a couple days before the sad news of her passing. She was taken too soon from us and we miss her very much.
Mathilde Delmar-Love says
Betsy was my Earth Angel and now my Angel in Heaven!! I met Betsy when l returned to high school. @19 as a mature student at Bathurst Heights! They say u only need one person to believe in you to break the cycle!! Betsy was that one for me!! She believed in me and because of her l believed in myself!! She was one of the most significant people in my live , she encouraged me to go to University and I graduated with a H.B.A and became a teacher. Betsy was there with me all the way, listening and providing support all along the way!! She never missed a phone call wishing me and my family a happy holiday or birthday wishes, even if l did forget. Betsy always understood. Always saw the good in people, always brought compassion to every circumstance. She was my friend, my mentor and my teacher and l will miss her tremendously as l know many will. With all my love Ms Flood, may you rest in peace. Mathilde
Jenny Bocock says
My late mother and I lived with the Floods in Toronto for a short while during the second word war. Betsy was 1 and 1/2. I was 3 years old.
We remained friends over the years. Betsy told me about her students, her relatives, friends and neighbours.
Archie Mackenzie was the British Social and Economic minister to the UN. He, his wife, Ruth and I spent a Christmas with the Floods at Stoho. They were as amused as I was with their border collie dog who loved ice cream. We had to talk about it not using those words or the dog went crazy until she had some,
Betsy was a faithful Godmother to our daughter, Rachel.
She took a great interest in a young friend who is a teacher. When she was very weak she wanted to know how she was getting along. She also was most concerned about this young lady’s ill mother.
She let neighbours swim in her swimming hole. Much appreciated on a hot day.
She is missed.
Many blessings, Jenny Bocock
Jack Freebury says
Betsy was a very good friend and colleague of my late wife, Mary Jean Freebury and myself over many years. She lived and demonstrated the qualities that are so needed in today’s world. When working on projects with others her clear thinking, clarity of expression, inclusive teamwork, and focus on ways to move forward was most inspiring. Betsy left a legacy of initiatives and care for others for which we are most grateful.
Jack Freebury
Raymond Vanasse says
Merci ´Betty’ pour ta participation sur le conseil de I et C , du Canada.
Merci pour tes visites l’été à Malletts Bay au Vermont. Quel beau souvenir de la voile sur le lac Champlain
Merci pour ton amitié pendant toutes ces années.
Raymond et Carmen Vanasse
RAYMOND VANASSE says
Thank you “Betsy” for the time you gave to I of C Board of Canada.
Thank for your visits at Malletts Bay Vermont…Sailling on the beautiful lake Champlain.
Thank yo u for your “ amitié “ over the years.
Raymond and Carmen Vanasse.
Keith and Joy Newman says
Betsy always had a story to share of how the ducks were doing on the pond, how the vegetables were growing…or not. Too much/too little rain or the frost! It all meant so much to her. We are so glad that she got to be home before leaving it all behind. Betsy was a good caring friend to us for many years and her love and care for people will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Betsy. You’ve deserved it!
Suzan Baddour says
My condelence to the Flood family.
I met dear Betsy at Caux in Switzerland and then again later in Egypt as well as in Canada. I shall always remember her as my warm, wise and thoughtful friend. She always remembered and called me on special family events.
My condolence to the Flood family. RIP dear Betsy.
Guy Elliott says
Betsy was a friend and a colleague and always a lady. She was warm and friendly, always helpful who had a quiet but distinct sense of humour – and she played a mean game of golf! My wife Sandy and I also spent many enjoyable sessions at yoga with her over the years. But key to me was that she was an excellent teacher and that her students liked her and respected her. As her Department Head at Earl Haig I knew she was one of the strongest teachers in the History Department. I have no finer compliment.
Goodbye, Betsy.
Sandra Joy says
Rest in peace dear Betsy. Thank you for the many years of warm friendship we shared – from our first meeting at Tai Chi class in Toronto in the early 90’s to our last visit at Stoho in 2018, some years after I moved to the west coast. I hold a myriad of beautiful memories……of long walks together in the countryside; deeply engaged conversations, rich in thought and spirit; intense and hilarious marmalade making; and the music of harmonious, peaceful silences. I will miss you dear, wise friend. With love. Sandra
Nancy Gahm says
Betsy was my wonderful, loving friend for almost 60 years. We had a great deal in common : counsellors at Camp Tanamakoon , relatives in the mushroom industry , American mothers, high school teachers for the North York Board of Education, and love of opera and classical music.We were Toronto Symphony subscribers together for more than 50 years. I was blessed with her friendship and mourn her passing.
Sunyatta Guild says
My sincerest condolences to all of Betsy’s family and friends. She was an inspiration to me, generous, kind and open-hearted. Love,
Sunyatta
Mary Joan Stollery says
Betsy was a wonderful and faithful friend to me and my family over the more than 30 years I knew her. She kept in regular touch and her care and encouragement were a precious gift. Visits to Betsy were always a special treat and I cherish those memories. She is greatly missed. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Anne Almond Hamlin says
My parents and Betsy’s parents were dear friends for decades, and the friendship passed to the next generation with Betsy and me. We were both teachers, and I would get a phone call (after she retired) from her every year around the time of school starting to ask how the new year was going. A faithful friend indeed. Also – her birthday was the day after my mother’s so they would talk around that time to share greetings (as well as many other times). After my mother died – Betsy would phone me in remembrance each year. That meant so much.
marc ronan says
Sincere condolences to the Flood family. Betsy was a quiet peaceful pillar of our community.
Rohit Valecha says
Betsy will continue to serve as an inspiration, and her legacy will live on. Sending my love and blessings from India.
Rohit Valecha says
Betsy will continue to serve as an inspiration, and her legacy will love on. Sending my love and blessings from India.
Megumi Kanematsu says
Thinking of Betsy with much respects and love, ever so grateful for her big heart with her care and love for us all in the different part of the world, but specially for her visits to Japan and Asia as well as all other different culturesin this needy world with her open heart.
With my deep sense of gratitude for her friendship from Kyoto, Japan.