Obituary of Elizabeth Hillis Burley

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Hillis Burley (nee DeWitt) on 02 February 2024 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital. She spent her final hours surrounded by her family, knowing she was loved and treasured until the end.

Betty, as she was known, was born 24 November 1944 in Glasgow, Scotland to parents Luke and Johan DeWitt (nee Hillis). Betty was the oldest of five children born to Luke and Johan (Joey) and grew up in various locations throughout New Brunswick.

 

Betty is survived by her children Patricia Ann (Doug) Oggelsby; Frank David Burley as well as her grandchildren Samantha Johan (Jeff) Wilson, Frank Daniel Burley; Brittany Georgina Marie Oggelsby, Morgan Keller Oggelsby, Joshua Douglas (Grace Koopman) Oggelsby and her three precious great grandchildren, Sophie Elizabeth Irene Wilson, Mackenzie Helen Wilson and Griffin JF Koopman-Oggelsby

 

She will be remembered by her sister Susan DeWitt, brothers John DeWitt, Luke (Claudette) DeWitt and family.

 

Betty met her future husband Frank in 1959 at a local teen mixer where they danced the night away to such classics as Fats Domino’s “I Want To Walk You Home”; at the end of the evening Frank asked to walk Betty home. They married in December 1960 and they spent their lives continuing that walk home; hand in hand and heart to heart. Where “home” was, changed many times throughout their lives - from Oromocto, NB to Dartmouth, NS and Victoria, BC as well as many points in between, including a side trip to Werl, Germany. They were gypsies at heart and loved the open road, travelling all over, spending many hours together just going for a drive and leaving pieces of their hearts along the trans-Canada. In the end, Frank once again walked Betty home - right back to where it all began in her hometown of Oromocto, where they spent their final years together, dancing, laughing and loving each other. 

 

Those who knew Betty well are aware that she loved her family fiercely and took great joy and pride in the life that she and Frank created. Together, they took immense pleasure in staying closely connected to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was well loved and respected by her siblings for the unconditional support she provided throughout the years. Her unique sense of humour was with her always and she was always up for telling stories, teasing and sharing a laugh.

 

With her great sense of style, Betty spent countless hours sewing and decorating her home. She was an enthusiastic and talented quilter who also enjoyed dabbling in a multitude of arts and craft projects. She used her talents to decorate not only her home but also those of her family members. They can all boast that Betty touched their hearts and their homes, sewing love into everything she touched and left behind. No matter what happened in life, her family always knew she would be there for them - whether it was to cheer them on, pick them up or just to help them accessorize.

 

Betty loved unconditionally and whole heartedly and was loved by her family fiercely in return.  As per Betty’s request, there will be no visitation or funeral services. Instead, the family encourages that you simply take the time to remember Betty in your own way.

 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the palliative care unit of the DECH for the care and compassion they provided to Betty.  For those who wish, donations to the Cancer Society may be made in Betty’s memory.  https://cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give/in-memory-and-in-honour-donations