Elizabeth Jean Lindsey (née Burns)

July 24, 1923 – August 8, 2025

After 102 years of laughter and love, Elizabeth Jean Lindsey (Betty) has finally decided to take a well-earned rest — although if you ask any of us, we still thought she had a few more parties left in her.

Born in St. Catharines on July 24, 1923, Betty was a fiery redhead from the very start. She grew up during the Great Depression, attended the Collegiate, and then did what tough women of her generation did — she got to work. She joined General Motors during the war effort and never looked back. Whether it was behind the lunch counter at Parkway Lanes, cashing people out at the A&P, or running the Avondale store on Carlton Street with her husband Roy, Betty was always moving, always chatting, always everywhere.

She married Roy Lindsey on Halloween day 1942 and together they raised four daughters — Betty (Vince) Goldsworthy, Barbara Hughes, Bonnie Mitchell, and Janice (Jim) Levasseur — strong, smart, and funny women who inherited their mother’s spirit and sass. She also outlived 10 siblings and was proud of her Scottish Heritage.

Betty  was predeceased by her husband Roy, her son-in-laws Jim Staines, David Hughes and Arthur Mitchell as well as her grandson Douglas Hughes and all of her siblings and in-laws. She was the last of her generation, but certainly never the least.

Betty was the proud matriarch of a very large and very lively clan: 6 grandchildren Arthur (Kim), Cathy (Nigel), Theresa, Leanne (Josh), Ron, and Chris (Andrea), 9 great-grandchildren Mason, Evan, Alexandra, Colin, Gwyneth, Ciaran, Rowan, Austin, and Grayson and many nieces, nephews, greats, and great-greats than we can count — all of whom were blessed to be part of her never-ending circle of love, listening ear and advice.

She was the ultimate social butterfly — known and loved at Ina Grafton, where she lived for more than 20 years and Dunlop Drive Seniors. Betty organized dances and musical trips, ruled the Sip and Chat scene, played bingo, and played euchre like a card shark. She had a deep and abiding faith as a longtime member of Westminster, Grantham (now Trillium), and Silver Spire United Churches, and she truly walked the walk of kindness and connection.

Until her final days, Betty remained impressively tech-savvy — whether using her cell phone, commenting on Facebook photos, and playing iPad games like a teenager. She left the hospital not long ago to get her hair done — priorities — and attend two birthday parties in her honour. Because when you turn 102, you get to celebrate twice.

In her 102 years, Betty was proof that you don’t just live a long life — you live a big one. She loved fiercely, talked endlessly, laughed often, and made every space a little warmer just by walking into it.

She may have finally run out of birthdays, but her energy, humour, and unshakable presence will stay with us forever. The world is just a little less sparkly without her in it — and heaven just got one heck of a welcome party! 

We are looking forward to receiving friends and family at Garden City Funeral Home (39 Court Street, St. Catharines) on Saturday August 16, 2025 from 11:30 -1pm, with a service celebrating her life beginning at 1pm. Donations can be made in her memory to Make a Wish Foundation or Trillium United Church.