Obituary of Betty Lou O'Brien

Passed away at the Elisabeth Bruyere Hospital in Ottawa on the evening of Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at the age of 76.  Beloved wife and best friend to Jim O’Brien for 49 years.  Betty had two children, Michael Haggart (Lynda) and Angela (Matthew) Egyed.  She was also loving and devoted to her two grandsons, Benjamin and Aidan.  

Betty is predeceased by her parents, Phyllis and Garnet McCreary of Oxford Mills.  She was born on May 2, 1945.  She grew up on the family farm which was located on Highway 43 between Merrickville and Kemptville.  She was the eldest of four daughters.  Betty is predeceased by her sister Bonnie Brown and survived by her two sisters, Anne (Bruce) Raby and Sharon Hasler.  Betty was an aunt to David (Lisa) Brown, Melanie Brown, Shannon Hasler (Rob) and Samantha (Jeff) Farquhar.  She was a great aunt to Dylan, Ryan, Grace, Ace, Zane and Will.

Jim and Betty met and then lived in Smiths Falls and they both worked at the two local hospitals.  Betty enjoyed knitting during the cold months and going for walks when the weather was nice.  She loved animals and there was always at least one family pet living in their home.  Betty also spent a lot of time watching Angie play many sports while she was growing up and then watching her grandsons play hockey in the more recent years. Betty was very interested in family history and spent time researching her father and mother’s family histories.  During retirement she enjoyed talking with and going for meals with her friend Lois Taber.

As per Betty’s wishes there won’t be a wake or funeral.  Betty will be buried at the Oxford Mills Union Cemetery as the Oxford Mills United Church was a very big part of the McCreary family’s life.  There will be a celebration of Betty’s life this summer at her daughter’s home in Almonte.  If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.