COLUMNIST HONOURS SISTER IN TOUCHING TRIBUTE

JIM THOMAS REFLECTS ON HIS SISTER BETTY, WHO PASSED AWAY EARLIER THIS MONTH AT 97

For me, it's been a stressful month. The passing of sister Betty has been difficult for myself and my wife Jean.

During a recent visit to Butternut Manor in Uxbridge, we found her laughing and talking in ways similar to the affable personality we'd known an entire lifetime.

A week later, however, she was uncommunicative, her eyes closed, like a deep sleep. There was no laughter, no talking, only silence, an advance sign of our loss that was to come. She was 97.

Born on Concession 9 in Markham, Marion Elizabeth (Betty) Tapscott (nee Thomas) was one of four in the family of Herb and Catherine (Cassie) Thomas.

Despite being forced to face the challenges of growing up among three brothers, she confronted this complexity with the same courage and determination that would profile her entire life.

Her elementary education saw her complete all eight grades by age 11 and five high school years by age 16. At this point, her parents questioned whether she should go to teachers college at Toronto Normal School, or wait a year.

Following consultation with principal O.R. Stalter at Markham High, it was decided she should "give it a try," since teaching had been her lifelong ambition. She did, and proceeded to pass with flying colours.

By strange coincidence, her first teaching consignment was back at the same school from which she graduated six years earlier. When the weather was favourable, she would ride a bicycle there and back. During the winter, she walked. In cases where students found it difficult coping with certain Grade 8 subjects, she'd provide free Saturday tutoring at their homes.

Although a competent farm girl, Betty preferred to separate herself from activities that included cows, horses and tractors. Instead, she enthusiastically assisted indoors, helping her mother with a multitude of daily household chores

She always found time to share undertakings with her two younger brothers, such as trips to the ol' swimming hole; viewing wildflowers in nearby woods and fishing excursions to the Little Rouge River.

One of Betty's foremost enjoyments was music and her favourite instrument was the piano. She gained this skill through weekly lessons provided by Blanche Ramer of Locust Hill at a cost of 50 cents per visit.

She also excelled vocally, singing for many years in Markham's Presbyterian Church choir and with the Markham branch of the Sweet Adelines. She was a teacher in her church's Sunday school and, for a time, headed a young people's class. She exerted an unwavering faith and practised it every day of her life.

Pleasure skating was a favourite sport and it was during one of these outings she met Norman Tapscott, her future husband. Following their marriage, they farmed south of 14th Avenue in Markham and later in Epsom.

They were blessed with two children: a son, Rev. John Tapscott, and a daughter, Ann; three grandchildren, Julia Tapscott, and Joshua and Sarah Watson. Norman died in 2001. Surviving is one brother, Jim, and three sistersin-law, Edna and Doris Thomas, and Margaret Tapscott. She was predeceased by brothers Robert and Don.

A celebration of Betty's life will be held June 25 at 11 a.m. in Trinity United Church, with visitations an hour prior to the service.