“100 Years Young”
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, mother-in-law, and friend, Elizabeth “Betty” Rose Beard (née Walden), who died peacefully on May 30, 2026, at her home at The Village of Riverside Glen, Guelph, Ontario, at the remarkable age of 100 years. She enjoyed celebrating her 100th birthday in April with so many family members, friends and neighbours.
Born on April 24, 1926, in Toronto, Ontario, Betty lived a full and meaningful life that spanned a century. She was a cherished daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend whose warmth, strength, and generosity touched all who knew her.
Betty was the devoted wife of the late Edmund (Ed) Charles Beard, who predeceased her in 2011. She was also predeceased by her dear sister, Joyce Taylor, in 2017.
Betty and Ed met at the YMCA, when Betty worked as a secretary for the YWCA in Toronto.
They married in 1950 and built a life together that took them to London, Kirkland Lake, Guelph, and Wingham. In 1981, following Ed’s retirement, they returned to Guelph, where they remained for the remainder of their lives.
She is lovingly remembered by her three children, Philip (Marg), Cyndy, and Sylvia; her eight grandchildren, Jeremy, Jordan, Elissa, Dennis (Brooke), Kaitlin (Adam), Scott, Emily (Trevor), and Thomas (Ella); her seven great-grandchildren Parker, Landon, Kane, Layna, Everett, Sophia and Finnley, and many relatives and friends from far and wide. Family was at the centre of Betty’s life, and she took great pride in each generation that followed her.
Betty had a generous and caring spirit. She minded children for several years and was always sewing something for someone, freely giving her time, talents, and care to those around her.
She was especially involved with the skating club in Wingham, where she sewed countless costumes and supported young skaters. Throughout her life, she found many meaningful ways to contribute and take part in her community.
The church was an important part of Betty’s life. She was a dedicated member of St. Andrew’s Church in both Wingham and Guelph, where she cherished the fellowship and sense of community. Her church family brought her great joy, connection, and purpose over many years.
Music was another lifelong passion. Betty sang in school and church choirs, participated in the Triple Trio in Wingham, and was amember of the senior choir and handbell choir at St. Andrew’s Church in Guelph, continuing to play the bells well into her mid-90s.
Always eager to learn, Betty embraced new technology even in her 80s, mastering the basics on the computer and delighting family and friends from far and wide with her long, newsy emails. She was an avid reader, line dancer, enjoyed Home and Garden Television, and was a devoted follower of Queen Elizabeth II, with whom she shared not only a birth year, but also a birthday month and week—a connection she always found special and joyful.
In her final years, Betty deeply appreciated the many caregivers who visited, supported, and cared for her. Her family is sincerely grateful for the compassion, kindness, and dedication they provided.
Betty’s love, wisdom, kindness, and unwavering support will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her legacy lives on in the entire family she cherished, the friendships she nurtured, and the countless lives she touched.
Forever loved, forever remembered, forever missed.
