Obituary of Betty Florence Preston-Wilson

Betty Howes Wilson (nee Preston), died peacefully on May 10, 2023 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital resulting from a tragic accident, at the age of 97.  Widow of Clifford Howes (50 years) and Norman Wilson (9 years). Pre-deceased by her son Douglas, parents Beatrice (Meade) and Ernest Preston.  Survived by her twin daughters Deborah Cawker (Douglas), Dorothy Wilson (William), grandchildren Kurt (Aliza), Heather and great grandmother to Asha. She will be missed by her cousins in Canada, UK and Australia and her friends Joan Kohner (who faithfully wrote letters) and Lucille and Aldwin in Montreal.

Our mother was born in January 1, 1926 in Montreal Quebec, only child to Beatrice and Ernest Preston. They had an apartment in Park Extension in the summer, and they had a cottage on Isle Bigras. She went to Barclay Elementary School, Montreal High School, on University Street across from McGill. She was an Organist for 43 years at two different Anglican Churches (St Barnabas & the Resurrection) and at Collins Funeral Home, as well as being a replacement organist for other churches, also she was a Lay Reader. She went back to school and earned a degree in Childhood Development and bought-out the owner’s nursery school in Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec.

The family decided to move Mum from Montreal to Fredericton in August 2021 so she would be closer to her daughters.   We were fortunate to have had almost 2 years together here in Fredericton filled with fun memories and visits to the family.  Her smile was warm, genuine and uplifting to all in her orbit of family and friends.   Our strong mutual family bonds of love were enriched these 2 years and we will miss her immensely.

Thank you to our minister Reverend Wandlyn Snelgrove for helping us through this difficult time. Thank you to the wonderful staff on the 3rd floor at Windsor Court. While living at Windsor Court she met a very special lovely friend Betty MacCallum, where they enjoyed activies together  and she visited Mum in her room and always  prayed together each night. Especially want to thank the ER Staff and the Palliative care doctors & nurses for the excellent care they provided for our Mum.

No Visitation by request. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, May 18^th, 2023 at 11:00 am at Christ Church (Parish) Church, with Rev. Canon Wandlyn Snelgrove officiating. For those unable to attend the service, a livestream will be available at the following link: https://vimeo.com/event/3389183. Interment will be in Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s name can be made to the Missing Children’s Network or to Christ Church (Parish) Church.