Elizabeth "Betty" Hardill

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our Mom, Elizabeth Irene Robertson Hardill (nee McNaughton), on Monday October 14, 2024 at Granite Ridge Retirement Residence in Gravenhurst, peacefully and with her family by her side.

Fondly known as “Betty” or “Bet”, mom was born on May 14, 1926 in Toronto, to parents James Ritchie McNaughton and Christine McNaughton (nee Monk), who immigrated to Canada from Scotland at the ages of 19 and 21, one month apart from one another, in May and June 1922.

Betty was a devoted wife to husband of 74 years, Kenneth “Jack” Hardill (May 26th, 1926 - April 11, 2021). Loving mother of James (Beverly), Kenneth (Sandra), and Wendy Forsythe (Michael). Cherished grandmother of Dan (Lisa), Jack (Kate), Melissa (Jon), Livia, Ashley (Nick), Becky (Teitur), and Tom (Aryn). Affectionately known as “Gigi” to Seamus, Jacob, Lauren, James, Elise, Aulus, Cohen, Halo, Queenslea, Gordie, Cole, Skylar, Rafael and Úlfur. Best friend and first cousin to Margaret Taylor. Mom was predeceased by her son Normie (January 15, 1956 - October, 26, 1965) and brother Norman McNaughton.

Betty and Jack began their story at Christie Pits in Toronto, where dad was swept away by a dazzler on speed skates. Not only did her striking beauty catch his interest, but her talent as an ice skater as well. Unlike most of the other skaters, she wore long speedskates and had quick and fancy moves that dad could not keep up with; a love story we would hear often. Shortly following, they fell in love. They were soon engaged, then married on March 1, 1947 and would enjoy 74 long years of sharing their lives.Together they emphasized making memories with each other, with their family, and the many long-standing friendships they had.

In the early years Betty and Jack lived and built homes in the Toronto area, eventually moving to Etobicoke, Kleinburg, Nobleton, Aurora and later settled in Muskoka . Muskoka had become their second home when they purchased property and built their first cottage on Evelyn Road, Walker’s Point in 1958. This would be the place where all weekends were spent, where we were raised and enjoyed summer and winter activities. Once grandchildren came along they would later do the same. In 1987 they purchased and built a second cottage on a larger property on Walker’s Point to accommodate their growing family, and this continued to be one of our most cherished and loved meeting points.

An incredible host, Mom’s door, or back porch, was always open to us and we spent a great deal of time enjoying morning tea or coffee, happy hours, meals, bonfires, special holidays or celebrations and more; mostly important was the togetherness as a family. We are incredibly lucky to have had early exposure to Muskoka in the many ways that our parents graciously and selflessly made possible and shared with us. Their love for the place continues to this day as we followed our parents and have settled “up north”, and enjoy time here with our respective families in ways that we loved and were so grateful to have experienced with them during our childhood.

Mom’s strength, loyalty, wisdom and love over the years was at the core of our family not only in a working capacity but she was a role model for all of us in our daily lives. Many of us worked together and we also played together in Muskoka every weekend and many summers as we were growing.

Our father Jack purchased his business, RJ West (1966) Ltd, in 1966 with his long time friend and partner Joe Shaw. Mom worked by dad’s side managing the office on a day to day basis while raising her family and she always found a way to support a healthy work/life balance. The training that she received at Shaw Business School provided her with the knowledge and skill to manage the office and offer sound advice as dad was making decisions to grow the business into one that provided careers for all of us. Her dedication and loyalty to dad and the family business was remarkable. IIn later years, Nancy Crawford joined the RJ West team working in the office with mom and worked alongside our family for many years. With more free time, mom was able to spend more time doing some of the things that she loved.

She enjoyed gardening at the cottage, painting folk art with Wendy and ceramics with Marg, knitting & crochet socks and sweaters for the family, quilting & sewing and counted cross stitch & embroidery. She was an artisan and created beautiful pieces in several mediums. Mom’s talent in the kitchen was superb and something that we all enjoyed!

Mom and her best friend from childhood and cousin Margaret Taylor shared their lives with one another and enjoyed a close relationship not unlike that of sisters filled with love, laughter, hardship and many memories. Marg is an integral part of our family and the love and support over the years has been forever steady and unwavering and we cherish our times together and are forever grateful for her friendship and dedication to all of us.

The life that Betty lived and experienced made her into a strong woman who lived her life always appreciating special moments with the love of her life Jack and her family. The love she leaves behind in each of our hearts is a testament to the life that mom lovingly, graciously and selflessly shared with all of us.

We celebrate the long life that our mom, mother-in-law, Grandma, Great Grandma, Gigi and Best Friend cherished and lived so well. As a family we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the staff of Granite Ridge, for the loving care and support that has been extended to Betty on a daily basis over the last 9 years, and particularly over the last weeks of her life. We have always been warmly welcomed by the staff at reception and Kyla, the Nursing staff was outstanding, the Personal Support Workers cared for our mom with kindness and love, and the Kitchen staff provided us with a refreshment cart that was amazing. Our parents spoke fondly of all of you and we are all appreciative knowing that they were so well cared for.

A private service will be held on Tuesday, October 22 at 11:00 am. Betty will be laid to rest in Sanctuary Park Cemetery in Toronto, alongside Normie and Jack, immediately following the service. Please click the link to register for the livestream: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=cbd6a54f-992f-46bf-965c-74b06c335dd3 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SickKids Foundation in memory of Betty, and we are grateful for your support towards a foundation that was so very close to her heart.