Elizabeth Beirne died quietly on March 18 at Royal Columbian Hospital after suffering a stroke a few days earlier, just a few months short of her 99th birthday. She was born in Dublin, Ireland to Anne and James Curry. Her mother was widowed young and raised her three girls as a single parent in Blackrock, Dublin. Betty attended Sion Hill College and after graduation, became a Montessori teacher. After her marriage to Bryan, she gave birth to her son Patrick, and shortly thereafter, in 1949, the family emigrated to Canada. The first five years the family lived in Ottawa where her daughter Anne (1951-2016) was born, and then to Belleville, Ontario. In 1958 they moved to British Columbia and she has been a resident of Coquitlam since. Betty outlived her sisters, her in-laws, her immediate family, save Patrick, and all of her contemporaries. Her Catholic faith was very important to her, All Saints ‘Parish providing many friends. She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League since 1949. She was extremely independent and lived happily in her home until her final days. She confided a few weeks prior, that she was going to let her car insurance and driver’s license lapse at the end of the month, a gift to all road users in B.C. She was an avid bridge player, a good storyteller and always up to date on current issues. She socialized constantly and had many friends, all younger obviously. She leaves behind her son, three grandchildren, Erin, Evan and Bryan.
Due to Covid Virus concerns, a private graveside ceremony will take place at Valley View Memorial, and as circumstances allow, a service will take place at a later date.