Peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, Beatrix Batty (Thompson, McNichol) on April 22, 2017, at the Guelph General Hospital, in her 97th year. Beloved and devoted mother of her son Philip Brian McNichol of Hope Ness, the Bruce Peninsula, Ontario. Cherished grandmother of Susan Felicia Yates (Cliff), Angela Kathleen Beatrix McNichol (Scott Bartlett), and Lila Marie Dorleon (Moses). Much-loved great grandmother of Amber (fiancé Dave), Brandi (fiancé Peter), Daniel, Monica, Marina, Asia, Allie, Jacob, and Mirabella; and great, great grandmother of Jorden, Bea is also survived by her nephew Bud Morrison, great nieces Clea, Deirdre, and Tracy, and their families, and her long-time, best friend Pam Yates. Bea was born December 31, 1920 at the stroke of midnight at 50 Melville Avenue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The daughter of Clara Thompson, she was predeceased by her daughter Susan McNichol, first husband Bruce Frankland McNichol, second husband Frank Sanderson Batty, sister Clara Morrison, brother Samuel Callicott, great grandson Brandon Richard Reid, and nephews Ronald, Leonard and Harold Morrison. Bea was adopted in 1923 by her maternal grandparents, Eliza Thompson (Tranter) and Thomas Thompson. She studied piano and voice at the Royal Ontario Conservatory of Music in Toronto. A contralto, Bea was a member of the highly-regarded Leslie Bell Singers choral group in the 1950s. She was a long-time member of the Order of the Eastern Star and played piano and organ at many Eastern Star events, including those frequently held at Toronto’s Royal York Hotel. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and, as a civilian, in a supervisory capacity at the Downsview Air Base for the federal Department of National Defence. She also worked for the federal Income Tax department before her retirement. With amazing strength, determination, and a powerful will to live, Bea faced and overcame many hardships, adversities, and health problems during her long life. Her spirit continued to shine. She was always a compassionate, loving and sociable person with everyone she met. Any room she was in rang with her lighthearted and infectious laughter. Her kind and understanding nature was a wonderful, constant gift to her large family. Bea was an amazing woman, and a great lady. She will be deeply missed by her family, and the many friends she made over the years. A memorial service to celebrate Beatrix Batty’s life will be held Friday, May 19th at the Royal Canadian Legion branch in Fergus, Ontario, at 500 Blair Street, from 2 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada are appreciated.

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