BAUER, Elizabeth (“Bette”) Frame Bruce (nee Harris)

BAUER, Elizabeth (“Bette”) Frame Bruce (nee Harris) Of Hamilton, died on Saturday, March 23, 2019, in her 94th year, in Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto following a brief illness.

Born in 1925 in the mining village of Quarter, Lanarkshire, Scotland, she was the daughter of the late Albert Edward and Ann Golder (nee McGregor) Harris; wife of the late AJ Bauer. She is survived by her three loving daughters: Shirley (Bill) Hearn, Nancy Blair, and Susan (Mike) Newman; by her six grandchildren and her five great-grandchildren; and by many nieces and nephews. Bette was predeceased by her brothers Ted, Jack, and Hugh.

Although she loved her career as a Bell telephone operator, she followed family military tradition and enlisted in the RCAF/WD during the Second World War. While stationed at Summerside P.E.I. she met F/O AJ Bauer. Married in Hamilton, they settled in London where their three daughters were born. She embraced the unpredictability of RCAF life in Canada and Europe, a role that suited her perfectly. She was gracious, kind, and generous, the genuine article. Ever the consummate hostess, her butter tarts and lemon meringue pie were legendary. Family and friends happily filled her later life, and she will be missed by all.

At her request there will be no funeral. Cremation will take place with private interment at a later date at Hamilton’s Burkholder United Church Cemetery.

Bette’s family would like to thank all staff at Macassa Lodge for their constant, outstanding care, their heartfelt compassion, and their generous support. As well, they are extremely grateful for her exceptional care while at Sunnybrook.