Obituary of Betty Jean McAleese

MCALEESE, Betty Jean

January 4,1930-September 18,2023

Our beautiful mother died peacefully surrounded by the love of her children at the age of 93 on Monday, September 18, 2023. She was predeceased by her loving husband William (Bill), son Billy, grandson William Nathan, and granddaughter Sarah McLaughlin. Left to cherish her memories are her children and their families: MaryAnne and Robert Kormos (Katherine, Mary Ellen, Alexandra, Michael); Elizabeth and Charles Mahoney (Patricia, Helena, Theresa, Christopher); daughter-in-law, Ann (Vanessa, Jennifer); Jane and Peter Timbrell (Matthew, Jonathan); Patricia and Brian Storosko (Andrew, Iain, Erin); John and Roberta (Ryan); Sheila and Jerry McLaughlin (Rachael, Meghan, Michelle); Ellen (Laurel, Madelyn, Liam). Betty was blessed to be a great-grandmother to ten beautiful children.

Betty grew up in a happy home alongside her McCollum siblings in St.Catharines. She was much loved and will be missed by her many McCollum and McAleese nieces and nephews with whom she shared her gentle kindness and wisdom throughout the years.

Betty graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Mack Training School for Nurses in 1952 and practiced nursing at the St. Catharines General Hospital until the age of 65. She nursed with kindness and compassion and was a respected co-worker. It was at Mack that she met her closest friends who stayed together and supported each other through life’s journey. The Class of ‘52 will be forever remembered as the true essence of what it means to call yourself a friend.
It was the simple things in life that our mother enjoyed, summer cottage weeks surrounded by her boisterous family, Pinery Point, overlooking Georgian Bay, Saturday night sing-a-longs at the Oban Inn with our father, and Lake Ontario sunsets. All enjoyed with a cup of tea and a good book.

We are beyond thankful for the loving care that Betty received from the staff at Royal Henley Retirement Residence and the support of Laurie Straw. They made her later years comfortable and secure. A special thank you to Dr. Nishan Jayawardene, (Dr.J) whose kindness and compassion will be remembered with appreciation. 

Visitation will be held at George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton St. St Catharines, (905-937-4444) on Sunday September 24th from 2-5pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St Thomas Aquinas Church 316 Queenston St, St. Catharines, ON L2P 2X4 on Monday September 25th at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, we would very much appreciate a donation to the St.Catharines Public Library Donate to Your Libray (myscpl.ca)  to honour Betty’s love of reading.