Obituary of Betty Lou Todd

Betty Lou Todd.

Born May 3^rd, 1940 died August 28^th, 2024. Leaves behind her husband of 63 years, Andy, daughter Anne-Marie/Jeff, pre-deceased by son, Andrew/Kim. Pre-deceased by her parents, Dan and Marjorie. Also leaving her eldest brother Danny/Sharon, sister Pat/Dennis (pre-deceased) and younger brother, John/Bev. Grew up in the motor city, Oshawa. Worked as a technical operator at radio station CKLB, WKRP, Canadian addition, where she met announcer and eventual husband, Andy. Betty Lou loved animals, especially cats, hers were the classical cats Amadeus and Sebastian. She almost always had a kind word for everyone and was able to find a redeeming quality in people others had written off. She loved children and young people especially. She was a mentor to young women, offering support and wisdom to a long list of those who sought her council. She was an active Christian, Sunday school teacher, and youth leader. She was the registrar of her churches sleep away Camp on the Rock for all of its 21 years, and had much joy from her relationships with campers and their parents. The biblical record speaks of marriage as a “cause”, which is understood to be a “principle, aim, or movement because of a deep commitment”. Exactly so for her (our) marriage. The biblical description goes on: “for this cause a man will leave his mother and father…” So it was that Andy left his parents’ home and went on to continue the formula, that is, to “cleave” only onto her. “Cleave” has a double and opposite meaning. One is “to split” as with firewood; the other is the one for here: “to be emotionally attached to”. Then, ‘they twain (two) shall be one flesh’. Pop the biological meaning is easily understood. But for Betty Lou, one flesh also meant emotionally and spiritually. Death is physical separation, real, deeply felt, replete with sorrow that will never fully end in this life. But as an active Christian believer Betty Lou (and Andy) knew and know that we have the “sure and certain hope” that we will be reunited in heaven. So, then, “leave”, yes, but then, “cleave” together, ever and eternally, Betty Lou Francis Chatterton Todd.

A visitation will be held and Dixon Garland Funeral Home on Thursday September 5^th from 7-9pm and a chapel service the following day at 11am with a reception to follow.

The funeral service will be livestreamed and can be accessed with this link : LIVESTREAM