Obituary of Elizabeth "Betty" Josephine Connell

Connell, Elizabeth (Betty) Josephine – 87, of Bridgetown, Annapolis County, passed away May 31, 2016, in Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, with family by her side. Born in Bridgetown, she was a daughter of the late Carroll Joseph and Lillian Beatrice (Taylor) McGill. Betty was generous with her time and resources, and she was always a willing caregiver for her grandchildren when they were young. She was a very social person and always welcomed company in her home. There were many occasions where she hosted extended family, friends, and even hockey teams; it was not unusual to have her children’s friends as extra guests at the table. She was a great cook and will be especially remembered by her children and their friends for her molasses cookies, homemade bread, and turkey soup. She was an excellent money manager and could make a dollar stretch a long way. Over the years, she volunteered with many organizations, usually in the role of treasurer, putting her talents to work. Her organizational skills were excellent (if understood only by her), and for many years she headed up the Lenten Chowder Luncheons and Lobster Suppers at St. James Anglican Church. She was something of a “brainiac” in school, a fact which was confirmed to her somewhat skeptical children by many of her former classmates. She loved nice clothes, jewelry, make-up, and her weekly hair appointments. She was affectionately referred to as “Queen Bee” by some members of her family and “ABC” (Aunt Betty Connell) by her nieces. She is survived by her daughter Sharon Lycett (grandsons Kirk (Stacey Jones) and his children Emily and Andy; Craig (Karen) and their children Jensen and Carter; and Jonathan); her daughter Heather (John) Pollock (grandson George (Lexy) and his daughters Maya and Tamara; granddaughter Grace Pollock and her son Max); her son Brian (Marsha Wilkins) (grandsons Dustin (Priscilla) and his stepson Barry; and Sandy); her son Peter (Gale); her daughter Joy (Garry) Brown (granddaughters Susi (Craig) Spicer and their children Roland, Riley, Tessa, and Petra; and Kati (Ryan) Luknowsky and their sons Ronin and Patrick); and her daughter Lori Lewis (granddaughter Elizabeth (Ryan) Laidley and their daughter Zoë, and grandson Ivan (Brittany Barron)). She is also survived by her sister Peg Riches and several nieces and nephews who meant the world to her. Betty was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Robert “Merle” Connell; her sister Sandra Hannam; her brothers-in-law Jim Hannam and Arn Riches; and her daughter-in-law Linda (Smith) Connell. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of Kaulbach Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Bridgetown. A funeral service and celebration of life will be held 2:00 pm Monday, July 4, 2016, at the Bridgetown Baptist Church. Burial will follow in St. James Anglican Cemetery, Bridgetown. Donations in Betty’s memory may be sent to the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) at Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Middleton, or a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the medical staff at Valley Regional and Soldiers’ Memorial Hospitals, particularly those on the TCU for their respectful and loving care. Online condolences may be made at www.kaulbachfamilyfuneralhome.com.