We are sad to share Betty Nicholson, ESS client and Chair of the very first founding Board of ESS in 1983, passed away on January 11, 2021.
The following quote was sent from Dolores Ellerker, former ESS CEO and long-time friend of Betty’s, that beautifully sums up her life-long dedication to joyfully giving back to her community.
“I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.” – Khalil Gibran.
Betty was instrumental in the inception of our agency. A long-time member of Humbervale Church, she was part of a committee that worked on reviewing the needs of the Etobicoke community. From here, she helped develop what would become our first Adult Day Program at Humbervale Place Seniors Residence. She served on this founding Board and was instrumental in developing the vision of how this single service could, and would, grow to become ESS.
Serving as a member of the Board Executive, Betty worked with others to create our mission statement, goals and objectives and in securing funding for the grass-roots of our agency.
Her work did not stop here. Betty was also a part of the initial staff hiring committee and was the first Volunteer Coordinator, recruiting many wonderful long-serving volunteers. She herself was a volunteer in our first Adult Day Program, assisting clients, helping prepare meals and snacks and providing support during outings. An indispensable member of our fundraising committee and early organizer of our annual Gift Wrap fundraiser, Betty could always be counted on when help was needed.
Betty will be very much missed and we wish to extend our deepest condolences to Betty’s family, friends and all who knew her.
Thank you to Dolores Ellerker and ESS staff members for sharing your memories and her far-reaching legacy in our community. Images were provided by Betty’s family.