Betty Louise Ritchie

Ritchie, Betty Louise - 95, of Berwick, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Grand View Manor, Berwick. Born in Berwick, she was a daughter of the late Percy and Fern (Freeman) Beckwith.

Betty worked as a telephone operator for Maritime Tel & Tel in Aylesford and later in the kitchen at Western Kings Memorial Hospital, Berwick. A talented and creative woman, she found great joy in drawing, painting, knitting, and music. She played the organ for the United Churches of Aylesford and Morden and was also an accomplished pianist. Music was a gift she gladly shared with her family, often gathering around the piano after meals with children and grandchildren singing along. In her younger years, summers were spent at the Berwick United Church Camp where the Beckwith family had a cabin.

An enthusiastic beachcomber, she could often be found exploring the shoreline in search of treasures. She will be remembered for the many shoes she collected from her beach walks, eventually decorating a tree with her unique finds. She enjoyed spending a few winters as a snowbird in Florida and in her later years, she found pleasure in a good game of solitaire.

She is survived by her sons, Michael Ritchie (Elizabeth Kamps), Aylesford; David Ritchie, Meadowvale; and William Ritchie (Heather Burton), Aylesford; daughters, Rebecca “Becky” Ritchie (Arthur Backman), South Greenwood; and Mary Ritchie, North Kingston; grandchildren, Jennifer Keating, Aylesford; Amy Antonick (Mike Therrien), Hants Border; Meg Antonick (Denver Hiltz), Halifax; James “Jimmy” Markey (Katie Robb), Boutilier's Point; Jessica Hamilton (Matt), Hammond Plains; Daniel Ritchie (Alaina), Auburn; Brian “Jack” Morse (Jessica), Barrie, ON; Miranda Ashmead (Christopher “Keagan”), Kingston; and Anna d'Entremont (Justin Comeau), Church Point; great-grandchildren, Santana Keating (Brian), Briana Keating (Max), Terry Keating (Maddie), Hunter Hamilton, Holton Hamilton, Lachlan Ritchie, Finley Ritchie, Declan Ritchie, Imogen Morse, Dean Ashmead, and Jacob Ashmead; and great-great-grandchildren, Alayah, Dawson, Payton, Abigail, and Curtis.

Along with her parents, Betty was predeceased by her former husband, Arthur; her infant daughter, Yvonne “Christie”; grandsons, Alexander Ritchie and Josef Antonick; sister, Arleen; half-sister, Frances; and a half-brother in infancy.

Visitation will be held 2-4 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026 in Middleton Funeral Home. 398 Main Street, 1-855-825-3448. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Berwick Cemetery, with Rev. Webster Vhembo officiating. Donations in Betty's memory may be made to Grand View Manor. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.middletonfuneralhome.com.