Norma "Betty" Elizabeth (Burns) Flint

Mrs. Norma Elizabeth “Betty” Flint (nee Burns)

December 3, 1929-July 4, 2026

Betty was born on December 3, 1929, in Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario. She remembered her school days fondly. One year every other kid in her class got sick and Betty sat through the lessons twice so kids could catch up. When she was 13, the family moved to the Town of Mount Royal, a neighbourhood in Montreal, so her 16-year-old brother could attend McGill University.

 When Betty graduated high school, she went into the McGill nursing program at Montreal General Hospital. Besides nursing, Betty worked at a bank and at Eaton’s. She went to Newfoundland with the Grenfell Mission and enjoyed travelling all over Canada. She was very active with canoeing, skiing, biking “like the boys”, dancing and was always up for adventure.

Betty met Ross in Naramata, BC at the Interschool Christian Fellowship. Ross had been through the program and worked in maintenance. Later when Ross proposed, by telegram, he was on Vancouver Island and Betty accepted in Newfoundland. “As far apart as we could be while still being in Canada,” Betty would laugh as she told the story. They were in Naramata again when Ross got a job with an old farmer who wanted someone who was married. They were already engaged, so the community helped them put together a wedding in two weeks. They were married March 29, 1958.

The couple welcomed Miriam on January 15, 1959, in Kelowna, BC. When she was nine months old, the young family moved back to Ross’ family farm in Smithers, BC. Betty did a bit of nursing and Ross farmed. Norman was added to the family November 13, 1960.

The four moved from the farm into town and Lesley was born January 9, 1964. Betty babysat for families in the area. When the kids were all in school, she used her nursing skills to help the Terrace vet when he came to town. She did a lot of crafts and worked at Beerda’s Drygoods from the time her children were in school until her oldest grandchildren were in school. She worked for Gelco picking up packages at the Smithers airport to deliver in Hazelton. Her son-in-law once joked “you do so much knitting, you must be a knit wit” and Betty adopted that as her business name “as long as you spell it with a K” for when she sold her crafts at local events.

Square Dancing was always a part of their lives. Ross taught in their small home and their children eventually joined in. Norman took on the role of teacher and all the family, including some grandchildren would dance as often as possible.

Betty was always telling stories of the past. It was very important to her to pass on the stories of her ancestors. She remembered when Queen Elizabeth II passed by Cousin Ken Bell’s wedding and going to Sir Robert Borden’s home for tea when she was six.

Betty was predeceased by her husband of 67 years Ross Flint, parents Norman and Vi Burns and brother Dr. Stuart Burns.

Betty is survived by daughter Miriam Botten (Dave), granddaughter Laura Botten (Jock Fanshaw), great grandchildren Lisa and Ryan Fanshaw, grandson Tim Botten, son Norman Flint, grandchildren Logan, Aidan and Allyson Flint, daughter Lesley Ezinga (Sid), grandson William Helps (Chelsea Smirle), great granddaughter Chloe Helps, and granddaughter Catherine Helps.

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