Obituary of Betty Hughes

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Betty Hughes announces her passing on March 20^th, 2023, at Embassy Hall, Shannex in Quispamsis.

Betty was born in Greys Mills, on the Kingston Peninsula in their family home on June 27^th, 1933, to John Wesley Cosman and Lena Minnie (nee Duplisea) Cosman.

Betty is survived by her five children; Beth Lawson (Gary), Catherine Beckingham (Grant), Jim Hughes (Michelle), John Hughes (Melanie), and Terry Hughes (Mark Stephen), brother Glendon Cosman (Diann), sister Lorna Stallings (Glenn), as well as her special sisters; Diann Cosman, Jane Stewart, Jeannette Brisbourne and Lois Stephen. Betty has nine loving grandchildren; Sarah (Dana), Ginny (Mark), Kate (Stephen), Michael (Cat), Ashley (Wade), Keil (Tiffany), Emily, and Maggie (Jake), as well as nine great-grandchildren; Amelia, Ewan, Nea, Isabelle, Eliza, Frank, Edie, Jack, and Owen, several nieces and nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

She was predeceased by her loving husband John “Jack” Hughes, her parents, Jack’s parents, as well as other loving members of the family.

Betty’s faith was an important part of her life. She was part of a group of people who founded Quispamsis United Church, where she worshipped her entire adult life. She was a lifelong member of the U.C.W., acting as their secretary for several years. She had other leadership roles in the church where she enjoyed fellowship with other members. She was part of a team at Quispamsis United that welcomed and sponsored refugees in the 1980’s.

Betty graduated from Saint John High School and upon graduation headed to U.N.B. Fredericton, where she spent a year until returning home to care for her mother. She later attended Modern Business College, where she met her husband, Jack. Upon graduation, she worked at Imperial Tobacco until they married. Once the children left the nest, Betty took correspondent courses from the University of Waterloo and French courses from the Saint John Community College. She is very proud of her time spent at Lakefield Elementary School as a kindergarten teachers aid. In 1986, she spent a month in France, learning French to help with her course work at Community College.

Although learning was important to her, it was her family and friends who were her primary love and focus. Our home was a warm and welcoming place where Sunday nights were always family dinners, which included any boyfriends, girlfriends, or friends who were there. She loved time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who visited them frequently at their home and later years at Shannex.

She loved her devoted friends and shared many social gatherings with them over the years.

We would like to thank all the Doctors and staff at Concord and Embassy Hall at Shannex, who lovingly cared for our mother over the years. Too many special people to name. Also, special thanks to the women from Quispamsis United Church who were her companions and comfort when we were unable to be there. We want to thank Home Care by Design, who sent us an angel in Evelyn Carr, who went above and beyond to love and care for our mother. Also, last but not least, the many family and extended friends who supported us along the way.

Visiting will be held at Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Road, Quispamsis (506-849-2119) on Friday from 2PM – 6PM. Funeral Service will be held at Quispamsis United Church, 372 Hampton Rd, Quispamsis, on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 11AM. For those unable to attend Betty’s funeral, a livestream will be available at www.quc.ca

Interment will take place at Ocean View Memorial Gardens at a later date. For those who wish, remembrances in memory of Betty can be made to Parkinson Canada, Alzheimer’s Society of NB, Quispamsis Food Bank, Quispamsis United Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice.