
On February 7th, 2019 at Queens General Hospital in Liverpool, NS we note the peaceful passing of Elizabeth (Betty) Thurber (nee Thompson) Richardson. Born in Liverpool, NS on December 18th, 1928, Betty was the first daughter of the late Harris and Edith (Frelick) Thompson.
Betty was the wife of 50 years to her late husband Melbourne (Mel) Richardson and mother of their only child, their son, Kevin Lindsay Richardson, born in silence in 1962.
Betty was a former credit and catalogue Sales Manager for Sears working in the Liverpool office for 30 years.
Genealogy and local history were amongst her interests – probably inherited from Uncle Henry Frelick and his knowledge of the people and early settlement of Western Head. Other interests were isolated island light keepers, their families and lives. She had a great love for all animals, especially cats and her family pets.
She is survived by her youngest sister, Anna Dunlop (Liverpool) and predeceased by her sister, Margaret Inness and their brother, David Thompson.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the wonderful team of ladies who showed such care, compassion and patience caring for Betty and her beloved kitty, Mel-ody in her home these past months. Many thanks are extended to Dr. Ernest, his staff and the folks at Queens General for their excellent care. We are fortunate to have you all.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers Funeral Home, Liverpool, NS. Abiding her wishes, there will be no visitation or service. Interment will take place in early fall when Mel and Betty will take their last trip to Western Head together. A private burial will take place in the family plot at Grace Anglican Cemetery, Western Head, NS.
If so desired, donations may be made to SPCA Liverpool Branch, PO Box 2012, Liverpool, NS B0T1K0 or SHAID Tree Animal Shelter online or mailed to 100 High St, Suite 138, Bridgewater, NS B4V1V9.
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but the number of things that take our breath away.”
Offer Condolence for the family of Richardson; Elizabeth “Betty” Thurber

Judy Hyson
I am so sorry to hear of Betty’s passing
.My condolences to her family. May she RIP.
Karen Crouse
To Betty’s family i extend my most sincere condolances upon learning of her passing. We worked together in Dr. Bell’s office for several years. Her passion for geneology and the many letters she wrote to find family connections was a topic of office conversation many many times. I remember she was facinatioed with the stories of Fletcher Christian and Pitcarin Island. I have many fond memories of Betty. She is now with Mell forever and ever.
Linda Gallant
So sorry to hear that Betty has passed. And so glad we visited just the week before. She was very touched to see the babies…Charlie and Jackson. I treasure wonderful memories of her and Mel when Stephanie and Nathan were very young. They had many fun times together at the house in western Head. I am sure she is happy now with Mel at her side!
John and Betty-Anne Brooklyn, Queens Co.
To the family we offer our deepest sympathies in your loss.
Paulette Mehlman
We are sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. Both she and Mel were lifelong friends of our parents. A very special lady. RIP
Peter &Joanie Davies
Anna, we are so sorry to hear this, condolences to you and your family.
Anne Peverill
Sorry tor read of your loss Anna.
Betty is with Mel at last. R I P Betty.
barb fralic
Have know Betty for many years from the days my Mum worked with her at Sears and the days from me working at Pharmasave. All ways enjoyed our chats. My thoughts are with her family at this sad time.
Lloyd & Barbara Naugler
Lloyd & I were very sad to hear of Betty,s passing.She has run her course and is happy & safe with Mel . RIP Betty .
sandra lowe
sorry to hear of BETTY’S passing . she was a wonderful lady
Brenda (Conrad) Lohnes
To Betty’s family: Sorry to hear about Betty passing. She was a very interesting person and I wish I had talked with her more often as she knew a lot about my family in Western Head – the Colps.. She is now in a better place with her beloved Mel. My condolences to her family.
John Leefe
We shall miss Betty. She was an engaging conversation partner, a Keeper of the stories of Mersey Point and Western Head a devout member of her Anglican parish. I shall always remember the support she and Marie rendered me in many elections
Those with whom she entrusted much genealogical and historic information will keep her memory alive
John and Nancy Leefe
Robert & Lorraine Quinn
To Betty’s family, our sincere condolences. Betty was in every sense of the word, one of Liverpool’s genealogists and a family historian.
MARILYN WHYNOT
TO ANNA AND FAMILY MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU ALL AT THIS SAD TIME. RIP BETTY
Helen & David Fox
So sorry to hear that Betty has passed. Condolences to all the family.
Jane and Roy Payzant
Anna and family,
We are so very sorry.Our deepest thought are with you at this difficult time
Jane and Roy
Gordon and Jackie Eisnor
Anna: Our condolences to you and all your family.
Betty and Bradford Cunningham
We shall miss Betty, she was a charming person who was always concerned about people. She loved to plant and she spent many hours around her yard weeding and planting. We will see her soon for The Bible gives us that hope. John 5:28, 29 Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgement.
David Whynot
Sorry to hear of Betty,s passing she is now home to be with the lord in Heaven she was a lovely friendly lady loves her Genealogy and interest in local History and she will be greatly missed at the bottle depot and at the Museum she is going to be missed by all her friends and her Special occasion like Christmas time sending Christmas cards and a Mother day cards for a friend every year and Gifts she loves spending time together at the Queens County Museum Love you Betty RIP My Treasure Friend
David & Judy Whynott of mersey point
We are sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. I worked with Betty 11 years at Sears and she was always kind and considerate. Her and Mel enjoyed their time in the yard and drives to Western Head. Bless you Betty and rest with Mel in peace.
Robert & Sally Fader
Our condolences on the loss of your sister, Betty.
Walter & Noreen MacDonald
Sending sympathy to Betty’s family.
Elizabeth Boland
Sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. She was a wonderful lady. Condolences to her family.
Curtis & Linda Leslie Maillett
We send heartfelt condolences to Bettys Family. Thinking about you Anna during this difficult time. God Bless. Linda & Curtis
Mary Keough
I was very sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. My condolences to her family.
Vina Moses
Betty and Mel were among the first folks to welcome us to Western Head when we moved here. Betty was a lovely lady and we mourned with her on her husband’s death. Now we mourn that we lost Betty. She had a great laugh and I will remember her kindness to my late husband Gerald and I. RIP Betty…you were a special lady.
Hugh D Mosher
Dear Anna, I am so sorry to learn of the passing of your sister Betty. Most of my times with Betty were at my store. Like you, she was always a pleasure to work with on her home projects. I do hope your memories will help you all moving forward. Hugs, Hugh
George and Janet Fletcher.
So sorry to hear about Betty. Our thoughts and our prayers are with your family.
Valerie Conrad
I am so sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. She was truly a lovely lady. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Howard & Charlotte Callahan
On August the 19th, 1997, Betty Richardson went on one of our Boat Tours. She wanted to see Little Hope Island off Port Mouton. Her father had done the crib work around the island. In our log book she wrote, “Another one of my dreams fulfilled when I almost touched Little Hope Island – many thanks for the great trip.” Rest in peace, Betty.
MaryAnn Rhyno
We are so very sorry to hear about Betty’s passing. She was truly a beautiful lady. She was a great friend to my mother and always took time to talk to me whenever I saw her. Our loss is Heaven’s gain. Rest easy Betty
Maryann and Scott Rhyno
Linda Rafuse & staff of Queens County Museum
To Anna and family……all of us here at the Queens County Museum were saddened to hear of Betty’s passing. She was a truly wonderful person, full of compassion and passion for her family history and history of Mersey Point/Western Head. Always willing to help others with their genealogy and history questions from those two areas. A big loss to our genealogy and history community. Betty did many wonderful things for our Research Centre, always wanting to stay humble and unrecognized. There are few like her. She is in her happy place now, next to Mel. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Lyn Oakley
Please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of Betty to your family, friends and our community. Sherman and Lyn
Ellen Vaughan
Anna,Janie ,Ann our deepest sympathies. I will miss you Betty I am very thankful for the time I had spent with you ,thank you for all the love you showed John and I and for all the wonderful memories, I will miss you my dear friend you was my family and loved by me and John so much RIP till we meet again.love you always Ellen and John Vaughan.
Pamela Ditchoff
Western Head has lost its Lady of the Light, my condolences to Anna and Jane and the other members of her family. Betty was my first friend in Nova Scotia; many wonderful memories of meals shared, walks to the shore, yard sailing on Saturday mornings and chats over coffee, hugs and tears shared, flowers picked and exchanged. I was blessed to have her in my life
Jean Blades
I wish to extend my sincere condolences to Anna and to all the family. I am very sorry for your loss.
Betty Shupe
My Condolences to Betty’s Family
John and Donna Murray
Anna and family
Donna and I extend to you all our sincere condolences on your loss. Betty’s personality will be missed in this community.
Charlene and Bruce White
Our sincere condolences to Betty’s family.
What a truly remarkable lady…she has garnered the respect and admiration of so many with her wealth of knowledge and history of the area. We had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with her as she reconnected with her childhood memories on the old Wharf Rocks behind our house.
May you rest in peace, dear Betty.
Beryl & James Hatt
To Betty’s family so sorry for your loss.
Cookie Trainor
Anna, so sorry for your loss of your sister Betty. Condolences to you and your family.
Cookie
RogerVanNorden
So sorry to hear of your family loss
Diane and Donald White
Our sincere condolences to the family and many friends of Betty. She was a special one .
Rest In Peace in Western Head with Mel and Kevin sweet lady.
Tim McDonald
Betty’s passing has certainly left me with a very heavy heart. She was a long-time friend and fellow history lover. I will always treasure the many stories I’ve heard about her ancestors, Western Head and Mersey Point and of her years growing up in Liverpool. She had a memory that was sharp and keen and could easily answer any question that I ever had about years ago.I honestly don’t know how we always seem to have so much to talk about when it came to local history but there was never a quiet moment. I can’t even put into words how much I will miss those talks and my visits to see her. To Betty’s family, I offer my sincere condolences.
Barb Cooke Meredith
Anna and family, Am so sorry to hear of the loss of a fellow genealogist and friend. I have so enjoyed our letters and calls over the years as we linked families and events together. Her contribution to Queens County history is her legacy.
My sincere condolences,
Manson and Nancy White
Betty’s Family:
Our Prayers and Thoughts are with you during this time. Her mom and my mom often conversed by letter. Betty also sent Mom a letter. Many memories.
Bill and Anna Cox
Anna and family
Our deepest sympathy in Betty’s passing, she always stopped to talk and share a smile.
Holly and Philip Smiith
To all of Betty’s family,
Thinking of you all as you mourn the loss of your dear sister and aunt. She truly was a wonderful woman and I can never picture her without that beautiful smile. We know you have really good memories of her to bring you comfort now, and in the days to come. Please accept our condolences.
Holly and Philip Smith
Paula & Al Doucet
Anna & Family,
We are so very sorry to read of Betty’s passing.Betty worked part time in our office for several years She was kind and efficient and the patients loved her.She was a wonderful person and will be missed.
We share in your loss.
Paula & Al
Jackie Whynot
Anna and family
I am so sorry to here of your loss keep your memories close and hope this will all of you get through this trying times
Heaven has taken a lovely lady home with him I know she will make a great angel
R.I.P. Betty a true friend to the end
Vernon & Joyce Hawkes
Our condolences to Anna and all her family and Chris, Isabel, Rob, Debbie, Jeff and all their family.
Betty was a long time friend and also I worked with her for many years. She was a great person to work with.
Betty will be missed.
Ed and Evie Fisher
To the family, sorry to hear about you loss our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Jill Grafton
27 March 2019
Thank you so much to dear Betty for her generous bequest to Queens Friends of the SPCA. How very kind and thoughtful of her! And typical of her kind and compassionate nature. We volunteers can’t begin to express our gratitude. How sad that a good person has to pass for a bequest to be made. Thank you so much, Betty. We’ll be able to help that many more homeless and needy animals in Queens County because of dear you.
Jill and the volunteers at Queens Friends of the SPCA
Alain Thurber
All my condolences to the family.
Tracy Maclean
Cousin Betty was an amazing lady. I recall fondly going through Thompson family archives with her. I’m so sorry to hear of her passing. She was so bright and vibrant. She will be missed.