With great sadness the family of Elizabeth Anne Haworth (née Dobbin) announce her passing in Ottawa on January 6th, 2026, at the age of 88.
Elizabeth was known as Betty to family and friends. She loved her family deeply, had an enormously generous heart, and was fiercely independent. She lived with her beloved husband, Brian, in their beautiful home in Manotick until her death due to complications from a fall.
Betty was predeceased by her cherished son, Neil and is survived by her husband of 67 years, Brian, daughter Alison (Stephen), daughter-in-law Maria, granddaughters Amanda (William), Erin, Vivienne, and Sofia, great-granddaughter Isla, as well as cousins William (Joyce) and Carolyn (Bill) in Northern Ireland.
Betty was born just before World War II in Portadown, Northern Ireland, where she lived with her mother and grandmother, her father having died when she was two. Betty loved to share stories of wartime rations and blackouts, her weekly baths in a metal tub in front of the fire, and how she had to go outside across the yard to use the toilet, reinforcing to her children and grandchildren how lucky we all are in Canada today. Her mother re-married a British soldier during the war after which, at age 9, Betty moved with her family to Leicestershire, England. There, she excelled at academics, attending grammar school, and earning her A-levels in science and math, then her teaching certificate from Dudley Training College for Teachers.
At age 18, she met the love of her life, Brian, a young McGill engineering graduate from Drummondville Quebec who was working in England. They married in 1958 and moved to Canada by ship, arriving in Saint John, NB in December before travelling across the country to Alberta by train – an exciting adventure and introduction to Canadian winters for Betty. After a few years living in Edmonton and Brampton, Ontario, they settled in Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec to raise their family. Once their children were in school, Betty went back to teaching elementary school full-time. She was a talented teacher who loved to share her passion for books, believing that a love of reading would open a world of opportunities for her students.
As a young woman in post-war England, Betty’s own educational opportunities were limited. Sheer determination and hard work enabled her to go to teacher’s college, but university had not been an option. So, after her children completed their own degrees, she decided it was finally her turn. In her early fifties she took a break from teaching and went back to school, earning a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Library Studies from Concordia University and making her family enormously proud!
In 1996, Betty and Brian retired and moved to Manotick, Ontario to be closer to Alison and their young granddaughters. Betty thrived in her role as Gran, coming up with creative lesson plans for each visit and offering her grandchildren unbounded love and support. She and Brian spent summers at their cottage in the Laurentians and travelled the world, exploring five continents, including multiple visits to Neil and family in China and Thailand. Betty was delighted when Neil and family moved back to Canada a decade ago, settling in Manotick with his wife and two young daughters. Her greatest joy in recent years was spending time with her four granddaughters. She was enormously proud of the young women they have become and loved regularly catching up on what was happening in their lives. Her greatest sorrow was losing her son to cancer 18 months ago.
Betty’s family wishes to sincerely thank the staff at Queensway Carleton Hospital for their care during her final days as well as the kind support provided by Beechwood Cemetery staff after her passing.
For those wishing to make a donation in Betty’s memory, contributions to Doctors Without Borders are welcome and appreciated.
A family interment ceremony will be held at Beechwood Cemetery in the spring.
I grew up around the corner from the Haworths, in the apple orchards of Mont St. Hilaire.. There, I was fortunate to find my life long best friend, Alison. Betty was like a second mother to me, and always welcomed me in her home. We often spent New Year's Eve with the Haworths at their cottage in the Laurentians. Our children were young and it was a magical winter retreat. Ed always loved helping Betty decorate the trifle; I can hear her laugh as I recall the memories. Betty was always warm and generous. She brought joy to the room and was a gracious woman. I will miss her.
Our sincere condolences to Brian, Alison, and all of Betty's family.