Elizabeth Anne Bray

"BETTY"-Elizabeth Anne (nee Brown)- BRAY Slipped away peacefully in her 91st year on January 17th, 2025 in Burlington ,Ontario with family and devoted partner Bob Bishop by her side. Betty was welcomed into this world at Mt. Dennis ,Toronto on May 9th ,1934 by parents Flora (nee Aitken) & Delmar Brown,& ever-admired sister Peggy (Margaret). Betty & Peggy were raised on Sackville St. in Cabbagetown, a tightknit Toronto community where they developed life-long friendships . She married Jim Bray in 1953 , moving way out to 'the Boonies" for a Cabbagetown girl -to Long Branch ( between Lake Ontario and the LongBranch Loop) -way at the western end of the TTC Lakeshore Streetcar Line . Betty just 19 & Jim 20 yrs old , were two hard-working , clean-living parents whose 4 kids had their start in life there - another great community with great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles nearby. In 1963 there was a move to Lorne Park for another 16 yrs , with Betty always gaining new lifelong friends. She was known for keeping in touch with friends and family near and far , even from childhood - writing long letters and cards . If one word could describe Betty , it would be STYLE. She had it in dress and home decor. An avid shopper -she thrived on the hunt for a good deal . A home-maker and hostess, she also loved to travel . Especially to visit her adult kids ,and grandkids ( new babies and grown) wherever they moved -whether Texas, Calgary, or spread out here in Ontario. As toddlers ,Peg and Bett travelled with their mom Flo to Winnipeg to visit their grand and great-grandparents of Scottish and Metis ancestry. As adults (with Peg's daughter Leslie) they made the trip to Winnipeg again -visiting their aged grandpa Neil Brown. Betty loved her music .Rythm & Blues or Jazz were first picks but she loved many other types as well . Growing up when most homes had a piano, she told us that her dad Del would call out to her mom Flo at the piano to " Play it Waller style". As well as Dances on the town, home dance parties in whatever room was available were the norm with everyone's dress & hair done in top style. Betty worked at Birks Jewellers,then at 18 yrs she found her dream job at Decca Records in the Sound Room. We still have her 78rpm record player and many of the records , all labelled in her impeccable handwriting. She met husband Jim Bray during that era and we're told that they could clear the dance floor. Of course the music evolved during her lifetime . From '78 rpm to 33rpm vinyl , to cassettes , to CD's and even 'Alexa' .One of her favourite things to do in the later years was to play CD's into the wee hours while putting away the china and silver after hosting one of her many dinner parties. When out for the evening she was likely last to leave the party. As the kids grew , then moved away, Betty and Jim also parted . She continued to call Mississsauga home, while working in Etobicoke for many years at Delemere and Williams in the office of the engineers. The top executives had Betty train the young girls coming in on how to dress properly. Betty met Bob Bishop through sister Peggy (who he worked with) in the 80's at a company Dance . Soon he was doing the weekend drive from Scarborough to Mississauga . For the last 22 years they've enjoyed the 11th floor Burlington condo with a strking view of the lake from the CN Tower to Niagara Falls . Watching the lake boats come and go . Betty was a sun-worshipper -at beaches, pools, or lawns. She and Bob spent many a day at Burlington Beach roasting hotdogs, radio playing ,soaking up the sun. Betty will be missed by her partner Robert Morley Bishop , sister Peggy Parker, nieces ,nephews, and their families,daughter-in-law Candice Bray, children Sandra Lee,John Delmar( Gay), Daniel James, and Robert Neil,. She was adoring Nana to her 7 grandaughters -Kyla, Meris, Jessica, Amanda, Maulee, Alanna(Brett) & Marina, & so sweet Great-gramma to her 2 greatgrandchildren. The family is grateful for the palliative care Betty received from Dr. Fornasier , and others at Jo Brant hospital in Burlington -especially the special haircare massage given by nurse Kim, and whoever provided the CD player so that Betty could hear her favourite CD's we carried in to her from her home. Though dementia had entered her life, through the outstanding programs by Acclaim Health, her PSW 's ( to whom she always complimented on their attire, and said "thankyou" or "I'm sorry"), Halton Region Community Paramedic Program, and many other home health care personel, she was able- with the tremendous dedication of her partner "Bob", and her 'kids' as they were able , to stay in her own home till the last days - as was her wish. CELEBRATION of LIFE will be held from 1 to 4 pm SUNDAY - MAY 4th, at BRONTE HARBOUR YACHT CLUB, in Bronte Harbour Park , 2514 Lakeshore Rd. West , Oakville on the East bank of Bronte Creek , by the bridge

Elizabeth Anne Bray

January 17, 2025