Obituary of Elizabeth Anne Colwell

Obituary of Elisabeth “Betty” Anne Colwell nee Olding Elisabeth (Betty) Anne Colwell nee Olding passed away peacefully on May 26, 2024, in Halifax surrounded by loved ones. She lived a long happy life and accomplished many of her goals. She was loving, kind, always optimistic and enjoyed a good laugh. She was born Dec 7,1935 in Merigomish, Nova Scotia to Lawrence and Christina Oldling and later joined by her brother Thomas (Tommy). She grew up on a farm and went to the big town of New Glasgow to attend High School living with her aunts/teachers to prepare her for university because her parents recognized her intellect. She attended Mount Allison University where she studied Languages and earned a Bachelor of Arts. It was there she met her future husband, Neil Colwell. They married and moved to Halifax where Neil finished his engineering degree. They loved and they supported each other from that day forward celebrating 66 years together last September. After Neil graduated, she began a life of many moves as he was involved in the building of Power stations in eastern Canada including Mactaquac, Niagara Falls, Churchill Falls, and Point Lepreau to name only a few. Her first of three children Don was born in Bath, New Brunswick, Bruce came two and a half years later in Fredericton, New Brunswick and Peter was born two years later in Niagara Falls, Ontario. She raised them all to excel in their chosen fields. If you knew her, you often heard of the three boys that she was so proud of; Don the engineer, Bruce the doctor and Peter who excelled in marketing as well as his athletic accomplishments. Challenging were the many moves with construction projects occurring almost every 2-3 years and involved many school changes and hockey and baseball teams. She could pack and move a house in record time and knew what was in every box. She never missed a game although with three boys it was not always easy, and the teams often called her Mom. During this time, she perfected her skills in bridge; among the many trophies the boys accumulated was her bridge trophy for best scores over a three-year period in Churchill Falls. Right until her last admission to hospital she played the game and loved to win. Neil played but was always nervous as he knew she was watching him and would point out his mistakes. On her last Mother’s Day, Betty was able to get all three of her boys together with her from San Diego, Knoxville and Halifax and she enjoyed a lobster sandwich. She was predeceased by her parents Christina and Lawrence and her brother Thomas. She is survived by her husband Neil and her three children Don (Beth), Bruce and Peter (Joy) as well as her grandchildren Rebecca (Jon), Rachel, Brennan, Brooke, Jillian and Anders and one great grandchild, Jack. Celebration of life will take place June 8 at 114 Fairfax Drive-Cameron Hall, Halifax, N.S. from 1:30 PM till 3:00 PM. Donations made in her name can be made to a charity of your choice.