October 9, 1939 - March 21, 2024
Betty Ann passed away peacefully at Victoria Hospital, London, in her 85th year with her daughters and “bookend” sister by her side.
Betty Ann was predeceased by her parents David and Betty Holgate (nee Weatherhead), her husband Randy Bellerose, and her sister Susan Holgate (Fairley).
Betty Ann’s passing creates an unfillable void for her daughters Christine Tagliabracci (David Torrence) and Karen Tagliabracci (Derek Laidlaw), and her grandsons Chris, Jerry and Nathan Torrence, who collectively were the light of her life.
The eldest of seven siblings, Betty Ann will be greatly missed by the “other borns” - Margie, Chuck and Marion Holgate, Ernie Cachagee-Holgate, and Chrissie DeLyzer (David), as well as nephews, nieces, extended family and friends.
Born in Toronto, Betty Ann lived most of her life in Sault Ste. Marie until moving to London in 2020 to be closer to her daughters. She had a long career mainly at Algoma Steel, which she energetically balanced with raising her girls. She was passionate about Duplicate Bridge, achieving Life Master status at an early age and forming lifelong friendships in the bridge community.
Betty Ann cherished time with loved ones: singing harmony with siblings, hitting the links for family golf tournaments, and camping with Randy and his extended family. She was always the “hostess with the mostess” on Christmas Eve and around “Lake Bellerose” in the summer.
She baked copious quantities of banana bread for her grandsons. Her talents with knitting and crochet mean we all have afghans, dish cloths, sweaters, slippers, hats and mittens that will carry her memory.
The world feels different without her in it. Many of us knew no world before her. She gave us gifts like strength, courage, passion, and humour, and through those gifts she will live on.
Cremation has taken place; interment will take place in Sault Ste. Marie at a later date.
Online condolences may be left at www.funeraloptions.ca