Born ‎19 Jul 1913 Amaranth Township, Ontario, Canada, died ‎29 May 1987 Orangeville, Ontario, Canada‎, 73 years, buried ‎Greenwood Cemetery Orangeville
Hodgson, Meta R.N.
Hodgson Meta R.N. (Formerly associated with Toronto General and Dufferin Area Hospitals)
At Orangeville on Friday May 29, 1987 Meta Hodgson daugher of the later Thomas and Alice Hodgson; dear sister of Sadie (Mrs. Jim Golden), Della Trimble, Ruth Dermott, Arthur Hodgson and Betty (Mrs. Fred Duncan). Rested at Baxter and Giles Funeral Home, Orangeville. Service was in the chapel on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Interment Greenwood Cemetery.

HODGSON - The family of the late Meta Hodgson wish to express sincere thanks to the ambulance drivers, doctors, nurses and staff at both Dufferin Area and Credit Valley Hospitals for their dedicated care while she was a patient. Special thanks to the V.O.N., Home Care and Meals on Wheels. We also wish to thank the friends, relatives and neighbours for the floral tributes, memorial donations and expressions of sympathy at the death of our sister. Thank you also to Rev. David Murphy for his comforting words, the Ladies of Tweedsmuir Presbyterian Church for the lunch and also to Baxter and Giles Funeral Home for their assistance.

Born ‎15 Jan 1916 Amaranth Township, Ontario, Canada, died ‎19 Oct 1990 Orangeville, Ontario, Canada‎, 74 years, buried ‎Greenwood Cemetery Orangeville
GOLDEN, Sadie Marion
At Dufferin Area Hospital, Orangeville on Friday, October 19, 1990. Sadie Hodgson loved wife of James Golden; dear mother of Jack and his wife Sheila of Marmora and Marie Galbraith of Orangeville, grandmother of Kathy and Gerry Morrison, Karen, Jim, Jeff and Karla Galbraith; Sherrie, Kent and Cory Golden; great-grandmother of Melissa Morrison and Justin Golden; sister of Della Trimble, Ruth Dermott, Arthur Hodgson, Betty (Mrs. Fred Duncan) and the late Meta Hodgson. Rested at the Baxter and Giles Funeral Home, 273 Broadway, Orangeville.
Funeral service was held in the Chapel on Monday, October 22, 1990 at 1:30 p.m. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. Donations to Dufferin Area Hospital Foundation or the Parkinson Foundation would be appreciated.

Born ‎16 Dec 1918 Amaranth Township, Ontario, Canada, died ‎14 Jun 2011 Orangeville, Ontario, Canada‎, 92 years, buried ‎17 Jun 2011 Greenwood Cemetery Orangeville
Orangeville Banner Date: 19 Dec 1918, Page: 7, Column: 3, Type: Birth Notice
HODGSON - In Amaranth, on Monday, Dec. 16th, 1918, to Mr. and Mrs. Thos. W. Hodgson, a daughter

Peacefully at her home on June 14th, 2011 in her 93rd year; beloved wife of Gordon (1962); loving mother of Don and his wife Julia, Reg and his wife Sharon, Murray and his wife Johanne and Diane Culp and her husband Norm; Granny will be sadly missed by all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; predeceased by her grandchildren Adam and Adrian; remembered by her sisters Ruth Dermott and Betty Duncan and her brother Art Hodgson.

Della will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

The family will receive friends at the Dods & McNair Funeral & Chapel, 21 First St., Orangeville (519-941-1392) on Thursday, June 16th, 2011 from 3:00 - 5:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Funeral Service will be held in the chapel on Friday, June 17th, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.

Interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Orangeville.

Donations in memory of Della may be made to the Headwaters Health Care Dialysis Unit.

A tree will be planted in memory of Della in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. A dedication service will be held on Sunday, September 11th, 2011 at 2:30 p.m.

Trimble - The family of the late Della G. Trimble (Hodgson) would like to express our sincere heartfelt thank you to all our families, friends and neighbours for their support, kind words, cards, flowers, phone calls and food sent to our different homes. Thank you to Rev. Sandra Abuja for the truly beautiful service you performed.
Thank you to the flower and pallbearers and the very special eulogy from two of her grandchildren. A special thank you to the nursing staff at Headwaters Health Care Dialysis Department for all the loving care you showed and gave Mom over the last six years, and the doctors from Credit Valley Hospital. Thank you to everyone who made a donation to the Dialysis Unit in Mom's name. We would like to thank Dods and McNair Funeral Home for their personal service at this difficult time. And an apology for forgetting to mention Mom's two sisters who predeceased her, Meta Hodgson and Sadie Golden.

"If tears could build a stairway and memories a line, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again"
Diane Culp, Murray, Reg and Don Trimble and families.

Eulogy from grandson Ryan
First I would like to thank you for coming. Most of you know Mrs. Trimble, others know Della, but only a few of us know Granny. I would like to share a few memories of Granny.

This first memory I cannot even remember. The only way I know that this even happened is because of a picture. It's of me about age three, with every pot and pan from Granny's cupboard placed upside down in the formation of a drum kit, and I am in the centre of the kitchen passed out. Granny would always let you be whatever you wanted to be.

Not too long after that, Granny taught me how to really use those pots and pans. Baking would become my favourite thing to do when I visited Granny's. We would bake anything from Banana muffins to cookies.

Granny also enjoyed puzzles and board games. Wathcing the "Price is Right" and Dave Duval for the weather.
I think maybe Granny had a crush on Dave.

There is one memory that really sticks out in my mind. Granny and I were out doing some yard work. She was using the riding lawnmower. I was off playing and I heard Granny calling me. She had tipped the mower and cut her leg pretty bad. She was still calm and asked me to call someone for help. Everything now is a big blue. But I still remember how calm, cool and collective she was. I then kenw how strong my granny really was.

Thanks for listening to my memoreis of my granny and once again thank you for coming out and celebrating the life of a truly wonderful lady.

Eulogy from granddaughter Kayla
Granny you were such a kind, gentle and yet very strong lady (clearly as you somehow managed to raise those crazy boys of yours). I can't begin to tell you how much I am going to miss our time together.

I always looked forward to tea and cookie time with you even though truth be known I wasn't much of a tea drinker. I loved how we used to do puzzles together and how you tuaght me to make placemants using old Christmas cards, something I still enjoy doing from time to time. Your laugh or more giggle was contagious and I will forever hold it in my mind. Some of my favourite times with you were spent flipping through old photo albums, you enjoyed explaining the pictures and I just enjoyed listening and looking or watching Lawrence Welk when I was younger.

I know Dad will miss coming over to your house to raid your cupboards for baked goods. He always knew he could find cookies somewhere and Christmas will never be the same without your candy cane rice puffs.

Granny what I wish for you is that your up in heaven playing with kitty, looking after your plants because we all know what a green thumb you had, driving your car around and enjoying some long lost time with Grandpa.

I love you lots and will miss you forever but I sure am lucky to have had a Granny like you in my life for all these years.

Born ‎3 Feb 1921 Amaranth Township, Ontario, Canada, died ‎4 Jan 2016 Orangeville, Ontario, Canada‎, 94 years, cause of death: Stroke, buried ‎7 Jan 2016 Forest Lawn Cem. Orangeville
Orangeville Banner
Date: 10 Feb 1921,Page:3,Column:1,Type: Birth Notice
Mr and Mrs Thos. W. HODGSON a daughter

Obituary for Ruth Alice Dermott
Dermott, Ruth Alice Little (nee Hodgson)
On Thursday, February 3, 1921, Thomas Wharton Hodgson and Alice Mabel Little welcomed their fourth daughter, Ruth Alice Little Hodgson into the world. On Monday, January 4, 2016, her sons and loving family were with her as she departed peacefully at Headwaters Health Care Centre, Orangeville.

Ruth was the granddaughter of George Hodgson and Maria Edington, and William James Little and Hannah Twible.

Growing up on a Century farm in Amaranth, she knew what work meant, helping with the chores on the farm with her four sisters and one brother. Later, Ruth worked as a bookkeeper for a garage and would sometimes drive taxi for them and continued to do bookkeeping after her marriage in addition to being mother to four boys. Ruth and Frank raised their family on their farm in Mono Township. She was the sole subject of a book entitled "A Dufferin Girl" in honour of her 90th birthday.

Ruth is predeceased by her husband Frank Albert Wootten Dermott (1979). She is survived by her four sons and their partners - Paul and Jacqueline, Alan and Joanne, Philip and Richard, and Michael and Anne. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren - Vince Dermott (Bonnie), Steve Dermott (Hazel), Lori Dermott, Tanya Dermott-Bradley (Larry), Jennifer Dermott (Dean Guillemette), Scott Dermott, Caitlin Dermott, and nine great-grandchildren - Amber Dermott, Kendralea, and Travis Dermott, Haydyn and Kaya Parker, Hannah and Nolan Bradley, Jack and Sam Guillemette.

She is also survived by her brother Arthur Hodgson (Audrey) and sister Betty Duncan (the late Fred (2011)). Predeceased by sisters Meta Hodgson (1987), Sadie Golden (1990) (the late Jim Golden) and Della Trimble (2011) (the late Gordon Trimble (1962)).

Ruth will be affectionately remembered by her family and many (grand)nieces and (grand)nephews and friends in addition to her fellow associates at Camilla High Country United Church (formerly St. Andrew's United Church) where she was a long-time member.

A special thank you to the Dufferin County Paramedics, the doctors and nurses at Headwaters Health Care Centre and Southlake Hospital, CCAC, Red Cross, care providers and PSWs who have provided assistance to her over the past ten years. A special thank you to Carol.

Visitation will be held at the Dods & McNair Funeral Home, Chapel & Reception Centre, 21 First Street, Orangeville on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. Donations to Camilla High Country United Church or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of Ruth in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. A dedication service will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. Condolences may be offered to the family at http://www.dodsandmcnair.com



Eulogy by her son Philip
A daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, a niece, a cousin, an aunt, a wife, a mother, a mother-in-law, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and let's not forget - a true friend, Ruth embraced each of these roles as each year passed.

As was the case with her own mother Alice, family was always Ruth's first priority. Whether it was her own four sons and eventually their families or her own sisters and brother, she was always concerned with how well they were doing or what they needed assistance with. This was an evident trait with Ruth at a very young age as she used to tell me how she would take her younger brother Arthur to the garage and with an old tin blackboard and some chalk and get him an early start to his schooling with the alphabet or some math!

Ruth lost her father at a young age. She was sixteen when he passed. As she told me some years later as part of our family history discussions that because of that its likely why she married an older man - she needed a father figure. Despite her mother not being in full approval, she married Frank in November 1943. With the money Ruth had gotten from her inheritance from her father's estate, Frank and Ruth bought the farm where she would spend the next 72 years of her life.

The first ten years Ruth and Frank farmed raising chickens (mom collected eggs every day), cattle, sheep and even some pigs. During this time her two eldest were born - Paul and Alan and Ruth and Frank managed to support the four of them working the farm. Then in 1952, with a third child on the way, more income was needed and Frank took a job at Orenda Engines. A good thing too cause the third child became four very shortly and Philip and Michael brought the family to six.

For those that remember, the 1960s were the time of big rock concerts and rock festivals in the summer. Mom, my brother Michael and myself had our own different type of rock festival in the 60s. Mom would drive the tractor pulling the wagon up and down the field while Michael and I would walk along side picking up the exposed stones in the field and throwing them on the wagon. Now that's a rock festival!

When we were growing up there was always a large garden to attend too and mom would be in the garden each day reaping the produce - whether it was a six quart basket of beans or peas to prepare for the next meal or swiss chard to wash, mom always had lots on the table for her family to eat.

And there was always lots of hired help too back in those days for the harvests and unlike today where they bring their own lunch or supper, the wife was expected to feed the men who had come to help. I can remember during haying when there could be as many as ten men around the table and mom always had lots of food on the table for them. And this wasn't just one meal a day but usually both lunch and supper so mom was working just as hard in the kitchen as the men were in the field. This is likely when mom really honed her pie baking skills - as there was always pie at both lunch and supper and with ten men at the table, that meant at least two pies each meal! Through the years, mom was known for her pies and whenever the family got together mom always made pies for the event. And she didn't just limit herself to a few types of pies. It could be lemon meringue, apple, cherry, peach, blueberry, bosen berry, goose berry, raspberry, elder berry, mincemeat, raisin, butterscotch, chocolate, pumpkin, rhubarb - I'm sure I have missed some!

When it came to music, mom always enjoyed a lively and spirited peace of music. So it came as no surprise that once I had learned to play "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin that it became a regular request of mom's to hear.

As a mother, she gave her boys a great freedom to be themselves and made herself a promise never to interfere in their marriages / relationships. She did not want to be a meddling mother-in-law and wanted to spare her sons the stress she had felt in her own marriage as a result of her experience with her mother-in-law. And it seems to have worked as I've often heard from my sisters-in-laws and my own partner that they couldn't have had a better mother-in-law. My partner expressed it this way while we drove home earlier this week - "I have been most fortunate to have had two mothers".

So mom, although you physically won't be with me now, know that you have taught me well and I will continue to draw on the wisdom you have imparted as I continue my own aging. I'm really going to miss our nightly phone calls and weekly Sunday visits and meals together. I know where your recipe books are so I guess I'm going to have to try my hand at making pies - but they won't be as good as yours!

There will always be a part of you with me and in me. Thank you for all your patience with my mis-adventures - falling down the stairs and breaking my collar bone when I was a toddler, tipping the milk separator and almost loosing an eye when I was about ten, rolling my cousin's Tommy's mini-bike and breaking my collar bone (again!) in my late teens and my car accident that resulted in a broken hip and cracked ribs and nursing me back to health for three months after it just shy of my turning 30. But most of all, thanks for being my mom and my friend and don't worry - you've taught your four sons well and we will be guided by your love and caring always.

I love you mom and God Bless.


Eulogy by granddaughter Jennifer
I am so fortunate to have called Ruth Dermott my grandmother. When we were really little, my brother and I called her nanny, nanny-on-the-farm. As we became older though nanny-on-the-farm was replaced by the more traditional grandma and more recently morphed to Grandma Ruthie. I will always, with the greatest love and affection think of her as Ruthie.

Although she knew me my entire life, I knew her for only a fraction of hers. It is difficult for me to truly appreciate the magnitude of change in the world, society, technology that she was witness to over her lifetime. Despite this, to me she was timeless. I think this is in part related to the fact that she took her greatest pleasure in the simple things in life: her home and the land around it, a cup of tea, maybe a little treat now and then to satisfy her sweet tooth, but most of all her family. She so loved family. She loved to hear stories about what people were up to, she loved to talk about her family, and of course she loved to spend time with her family. She was up for a gathering, anytime, any place. How happy she would be to have such a group of family and friends together today.

She never looked to be the centre of attention but loved to just be part of whatever was going on. She was a keen observer and never missed a thing. She seemed to keep a close eye on everyone's weight. Gain or lose a few pounds, she would notice and be sure to comment.

Over the past several day I, and I think many of us have felt this strange, confusing mingling of emotions. There's this broken joy in remembering her, looking at pictures and talking about her, there's perhaps some relief that the end came so quickly, but there is also profound sadness and grief. Over the past few days as people have offered me their condolences I have said over and over again, "it's ok. It was a life well lived and I only hope to be so lucky". And I do hope to be so lucky. She had sons that respected and adored her, family that loved her and thoroughly enjoyed her company, but she also had her mind, her independence, and her mobility right up to the end. The month of December she had several opportunities to celebrate the holidays with family and even as recent as New Years Eve was over with Michael Anne and Caitlin eating Chinese food. I do hope to be so lucky.

If any of you have had the opportunity to read A Dufferin Girl, the recollection from the life of Ruth Dermott, she says food is how she thinks she'll be remembered.

When I was younger many Sunday Suppers were held at the farm. We'd all sit in around her long kitchen table and if the group was big enough, card tables would be set up in the front room for the kids to eat there. If we were lucky there would be a box of Turtles or Pot of Gold to go around.

Strawberry Suppers at the Camilla Church were always a favourite. I'm sure that almost everyone here has been to the strawberry supper at some point in time. The last Wednesday of June is always marked on the calendar.
No family gathering was complete without Ruthie's pies. It was a given she would bring the pie.

She also enjoyed dining out and many special milestones were celebrated at restaurants. Sometimes for gifts I bought restaurant gift cards for grandma and only later realized she would save these giftcards until I had the opportunity to visit so she could then treat me to lunch with the gift card I had bought her. One of my favourite restaurant moments was when I was probably 14 or so, travelling down to Florida in a minvan with my parents, brother, and both grandmothers. After a long day of travel, somewhere in one of the southern states (Alabama?) we were all tired, hungry probably a little grumpy, and the service was so slow. Well my calm, easy going, quiet grandmother picked up her knife and fork and started banging on the table. It certainly broke the tension and made us all laugh.

Today is a sad day as we say goodbye but it is also celebration of the life of Ruth Dermott. How blessed we all are to have shared time with Ruth Dermott, to see the twinkle in her eye, to experience her wonderful sense of humour and her love of life. I, like her will strive to take pleasure in the simple things and find my greatest comfort in the love of family.

I love you Grandma Ruthie.


Eulogy by granddaughter Caitlin
For anybody who doesn't know me my name is Caitlin. My father, Michael, is Ruth's youngest son, who comes from a family of four boys.

My Grandma grew up in a house located in Amaranth with all five of her siblings. Meta, Sadie, Della, Arthur, and Betty. When Ruth was old enough to work she became a bookkeeper for a local taxi company. In the years to follow Ruth and her husband, Frank, would provide nearby schools with supplies such as pencils, paper, and the strap. For all quality control purposes I understand that they were all tested and approved before being delivered. Grandma and Grandpa had four strong and handsome boys who she would love unconditionally. Little did she know that she would raise and support her boys into their 60's and 70's.

Living on the farm comes with many responsibilities, but also a whole lot of fun. While having a good time the boys often found themselves getting into quite a bit of trouble. Paul needed rescuing one summer afternoon when he had accidentally fallen into a well. Luckily a slate of wood stopped him part way down and Mr. Bill Stavely, a neighbor at the time, used a ladder to retrieve the young boy. I've recently learned that this encounter made it to the local paper. Alan was walking alongside the road one evening and a neighbor's dog started chasing him. He mistakenly darted into the road and was hit by a car. He was taken to the hospital but no serious injuries were found and he was able to come home that night. Philip was known for sneaking cats into the house while his parents were sleeping and Michael went horseback riding one morning, but he had forgotten to tighten the girth so his saddle slipped and he rode the rest of the way home upside down. Even though her boys often found trouble my Grandma never stopped loving them.

Not only was Grandma smart she was very good with her hands. She did all of her own sewing for the boys and herself. She made her own soap, and planted and used her own garden for meals. She even taught me how to set up my own garden with green onions and carrots. She inevitably took care of the garden because I don't have a green thumb whatsoever. Her independence is balanced with her love for company with family and friends. Grandma felt so blessed to have 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She's always been so proud of what we've all accomplished. Grandma just received her updated drivers license in the mail and if that doesn't prove that she is a strong and determined woman I don't know what will.

I have fond memories of Sunday dinners with Grandma. She would make roast beef, potatoes, corn, and the best gravy around. Grandma knew my favorite pie was cherry, so even when she made her classic Rhubarb pie straight from the garden she would make me a mini cherry pie. Sometimes we would even measure how tall I was and we would mark it on the bathroom door frame. Grandma was so proud of the young girl her son was raising. After supper we would sit in front of the tv and watch the news. I never understood how the news could be so interesting. Grandma was always happy to receive a phone call, a letter, or her favorite a visit from anyone, but during the week everyone knew not to call between 6-7 because the news was on.

It's hard to condense 95 years into just a few minutes, but I know you all have your own stories about her as a, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister, friend and so on. I think Grandma will be remembered for her love of good dinners and especially her unconditional love for family.

Grandma, I am so proud to be your granddaughter and to be able to call such a strong woman a role model in my life. I see many of your qualities in myself such as being strong-willed, determined, and sometimes stubborn. I love you and I miss you.

Born ‎3 Oct 1924 Amaranth Township, Ontario, Canada, died ‎23 Jan 2016 Orangeville, Ontario, Canada‎, 91 years, cause of death: Stroke, buried ‎Greenwood Cemetery, Orangeville, Ontario
Orangeville Banner Date: 09 Oct 1924, Page: 6, Column: 4, Type: Birth Notice
Mr and Mrs T. W. HODGSON a son

Peacefully at Headwaters Health Care Centre, Orangeville, on Saturday, January 23, 2016, Arthur Hodgson, in his 92nd year, beloved husband of Audrey Keys. Loving father of Tom (Teresa), John, Lesa Cody (Ryan). Cherished grandfather of Andrew Hodgson, Jessica Vreugdenhil (Jeremy), Matthew Cody, Lauren Cody and great-grandfather of Jane Vreugdenhil. Dear brother of Betty Duncan and predeceased by sisters Meta Hodgson, Sadie Golden, Della Trimble and Ruth Dermott.

Family and friends will be received at the Egan Funeral Home Baxter & Giles Chapel, 273 Broadway, Orangeville (519-941-2630) on Tuesday afternoon 2 - 4 and evening 7 - 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the chapel on Wednesday, January 27 at 1:30 p.m. Spring interment Greenwood Cemetery, Orangeville. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, 204 - 21 Surrey Street W., Guelph N1H 3R3 http://www.heartandstroke.com Condolences for the family may be offered at http://www.EganFuneralHome.com

Born ‎27 Feb 1931 Amaranth Township, Ontario, Canada, died ‎14 Feb 2019 Brampton, Ontario, Canada‎, 87 years, buried ‎Greenwood Cemetery Orangeville
Duncan, Anna Elizabeth (Betty) (nee Hodgson)
Peacefully at Brampton Civic Hospital on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at the age of 87. Beloved wife of the late Frederick. Predeceased by her parents Alice (Little) and Thomas Hodgson. Dear mother of Sheila Duncan and her husband Bob McCrea and Sylvia Duncan and her husband Douglas Fraser. Loving grandmother of Spencer and Sydney (Kaile), great-grandmother of Evelett. Betty will be missed by her sister-in-law Audrey Hodgson. Predeceased by her sisters Meta Hodgson, Sadie Golden (Jim), Della Trimble (Gordon), Ruth Dermott (Frank) and her brother Arthur Hodgson and sister-in-law Ruby Taylor (Don). Betty will be greatly missed by her nieces, nephews and extended family. Raised in Amaranth, Betty was a school teacher in Mono and Amaranth, owned and operated a farm in East Garafraxa before moving to Mono. Betty will be remembered for her honesty, hard work, generous nature and devotion to family.

Funeral Service will be held at Dods & McNair Funeral Home, Chapel & Reception Centre, 21 First St., Orangeville, on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 12:00 p.m. Memorial donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Spring Interment - Greenwood Cemetery, Orangeville.

A tree will be planted in memory of Betty in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. The annual dedication service will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com

Eulogy from Sheila Ducan
Anna Elizabeth (Betty) Hodgson was born February 27, 1931 in the Township of Amaranth, on the family farm just west of Orangeville, on what is now called Veterans's Way.

She was the youngest of six siblings - Arthur, Ruth, Della, Sadie and Meta - who all lived out their lives in this area. In fact, the family homestead is still owned by Arthur's wife Audrey. Betty's father and mother, Thomas and Alice Hodgson, owned a hotel on Broadway, for a short period of time. Betty told her daughters she could remember painting the doors to the horse stable at the hotel. She also told them about doing homework by candlelight and about having to live in town during parts of the winter when they couldn't get by carriage into town for school.

Betty attended Orangeville Public School, Orangeville High School, and Toronto Normal School (for teaching).
She taught all grades at one-room schools - Coleridge School in Amaranth and U.S.S. 0 in Mono, and later did supply teaching.

Betty married Fred Duncan on July 19, 1952 at St. Mark's Anglican Church in Orangeville.

They farmed on their 200-acre farm in East Garafraxa Township from 1952-1968, at which time they moved to a subdivision in Mono - and took their farm tractor with them.

Fred had a Canada Post mail route in Mono for many years, which they worked on together.

They had two children -- Sheila and Sylvia; two grandchildren -- Spencer and Sydney; and one great-granddaughter -- Evelett, age one.

Betty's greatest joy was family. From puzzle challenges to games of euchre with siblings, nieces, nephews, daughters or grandchildren, she was always ready for some laughs - and sneaky moves.

In the early days at their East Garafraxa farm many relatives will remember harvest time. Lots of activity, lots of work, lots of food & help; Betty could cook up a storm. For those who remember, it was a bountiful fare of meat, potatoes, vegetables, cake and pie. Even if it wasn't harvest time, as niece Lois Taylor Aikens of Calgary says, you always left from visiting Aunt Betty feeling happy and full.

And while she had been a teacher, she never quite got her daughters to master baking or sewing. Of course, they would have likely made pizza or pasta and Betty was having none of that. Betty started her own family traditions: angel food cake on birthdays, the Hodgson version of Christmas cake every December, calorie-laden sauce for Christmas, and "hunts" for the children's gifts.

Cooking and sewing aside, Betty was proud of her daughters' careers and achievements. She appreciated their assistance along with the support from sons-in-law Bob McCrea and Douglas Fraser in recent years.

As the grandchildren grew, Betty remained very interested in their lives, from helping with homework to attending every soccer game. Betty enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, teaching them how to bake, as recently as December having a baking day with Spencer, Sydney and Evelett.

It was a week ago today when she said her last words and whispered to her great granddaughter.

Betty had a sharp mind, keeping track of relatives and all their offspring (right down to birth dates) to watching the stock market and staying on top of the news.

Betty was intelligent, compassionate and loving. And she was a trooper, as she dealt with heart and kidney issues, rheumatoid arthritis, and a hearing impairment. She kept on smiling through it all, inserting a little quip from time to time. Her life has ended, but her love lives on!

From Philip Dermott (nephew)
These recollections are not so much related to "devotion to family" as they are about her keen interest in the family history. After my mother passed away, Aunt Betty and I had a number of conversations about the family history. In preparation for our first visit to discuss the family, I printed off all the information that I had on the Hodgson / Little side of the family - about 275 double sided pages - to leave with Aunt Betty. A couple of days later, I had an email from Sheila "Mom noticed that the Taylors were missing!"; Well this was news to me. I knew they were related to Uncle Fred as his sister Ruby had married a Taylor but they were related on Aunt Betty's side too? Needless to say, this was a topic of discussion at our next meeting - how were they related?
Aunt Betty couldn't say for sure - she knew the name of the mother (Bertha) of Uncle Fred's brother-in-law (Don Taylor) and she knew there was a Jackson connection but couldn't fill in the gaps. Turning to Google when I got home, I did some searches and for the next visit presented Aunt Betty with a print out of the descendants of an older sister (Mary Ann) of Aunt Betty's grandfather William Little who had married a Jackson.
The Taylor connection had been solved. When Aunt Betty saw the printout it was like a piece of the puzzle had finally been put in place in the family tree for her.

The other recollection was also to do with the family history. This day we were going through old family photos that Aunt Betty had gotten from her mother Alice. We came upon a photo of an older woman and two young girls from the 1920s or 1930s that Aunt Betty did not recognize. We turned the photo over and someone had written on the back that referred to the young girls as having a family name of Perkins. Aunt Betty looked up from the picture and said "I guess I should throw this one out - we don't have any Perkins in the family" Just a minute! Remember that 275 page printout I mentioned - well a quick scan of the name index and yes - there are Perkins in the family tree. It turned out, the older woman in the picture was Emma Edington, the younger sister of Aunt Betty's grandmother Hodgson - Maria or in other words a great-aunt to Aunt Betty and the young girls were her second cousins Ruth and Harriet Perkins. I will never forget the look of astonishment on her face when she realized what the family connection was and that she had one of the only, if not the only picture of an Edington in the entire family.

Thanks to those discussions, Aunt Betty has helped me fill in some of the gaps in the family tree.