Elizabeth Audrey Wells (nee Pike)
April 11, 1939 to April 26, 2024
Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Betty Wells in St. John’s on 26 April 2024. She was predeceased on 19 December 1989 by her beloved husband of 30 years, Richard, and is survived by her loving daughters, Martha and Catherine (Carol), and son, Richard (Anne). She was devoted Nana to Samara, Gregersen, and Auden, and was also Nana Betty to their cousin, Charlie.
Betty was predeceased by her parents, Gordon and Hazel Pike; her sisters, Mildred “Mimi” Case and Linda Clarke; her nephew Danny Clarke; and all of Richard’s family: his mother, Ada (nee King), and his siblings John “Jack”, Hector “Hec”, Cynthia (Badcock), Carlyle “Carl”, and Robert “Bob”.
She leaves to mourn her brother, Gordon Pike (Daphne); sister-in-law, Sylvia Wells; nieces, Lisa Badcock, Paula Royset, and Cathy Wells (Stephen); nephews, Robert Wells (Stella); Bud Clarke (Phyllis) and Alex Clarke; Lester Pike (Kim) and Geoffrey Pike (Bobbi), and Andrew Case (Nori), Stephen Case (Gerry), and Jonathan Case (Shannon); dear friends; and many cousins, Pikes from Spaniard’s Bay and Bests from Wesleyville.
Betty had a long career as an educator and taught in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and at Prince of Wales College and Collegiate, at Vanier Elementary, and for many years at Macdonald Drive Junior High. She loved to tend her garden and every year would create a delightful explosion of colours, scents, and berries despite our unhelpful climate. Endowed with piercing intelligence and a great love of poetry, birds, and her treasured pets, Betty was uncompromising and relentless in all that she did; she was also loving and generous, and we shall miss her profoundly.
During her brief illness, Betty received exemplary care from the nurses and doctors on 4NA, where her final hours were eased for her and her family by the exceptional kindness of her nurse, Brenda.
Cremation has already occurred, and a private memorial ceremony will be held at a later time.
We would dearly love for you to share your memories of our mom; please send them to us via Carnell’s or by email to bim22bim@gmail.com.
Richard, Martha, Catherine and Family, Please accept my deepest sympathy on the passing of your mother. She was a lovely woman, and she held a special place in my mom’s heart. Mom often talked about the special moments that she had spent with Betty and your family. You are all in my thoughts.
Betty was a wonderful person who was like a mother and mentor to me when I arrived as a new teacher at MDJH. Sincere condolences to all the family.
My sincere condolences to all the family! It was a pleasure to have known her and taught with her.
We are so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. Betty was a beautiful lady and an amazing teacher. and neighbour. Sending our sincere sympathy. June Churchill King and Art King
Martha, Catherine, Richard and families
Deepest condolences on the loss of your mother. I worked with Betty at MDJH early in my career. Betty was a wonderful mentor and colleague.
For Martha and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. Martha always spoke so highly of her mom, and I hope that fond memories bring some comfort. Please let me know when and if you are planning a memorial service; I would like to be there.
Karen
I was so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was my homeroom teacher in the late 80’s. She was a amazing teacher. She touched alot of hearts. I thought about her often over the years. May she rest in peace.
I was deeply saddened to hear of your Mom’s passing. Betty was a kind and wonderful person to my parents, Oive And Henry Wells. I have good memories of coming to your home with Mom. Betty always made me feel so welcome. We had kept in touch over the years through the exchange of Christmas cards. May you find comfort in many great memories. My sincere condolences. Wanda Watson
So sorry to learn of this loss of a wonderful mother, educator and gardener. Betty was an amazing role modell, and I consider her one of my favourite teachers educating many young minds who grew to be contributing members of our society. As a neighbour and friend of Catherine, it was always wonderful to visit her yard during springtime with the beautiful blooms. I am hopeful your loving memories will help you all now and in the days to come. I will keep you all in my prayers.
All my love,
Susan Gover
I was very sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. Betty taught my daughter at McDonald Drive. One of her projects was to prepare a family tree. Once Betty saw it she recognized that her Grandparents were in My Daughter’s family tree. I sent her a Copy of some of the information I had on the Best Family. In true teacher form, she sent it back with little notes and a few corrections. Whenever I met her after that she always asked about Family. My Grandmother was A Best from Wesleyville.
Gordon. and the extended Wells Family
Very sorry to hear of Betty’s death.
I first met Betty when she joined the Coastal Boat at Lacie
In June of 1963.
Aboard with me were Dick and George Kean, enroute from Twillingate to St Anthony where we were conduct cod research studies , following similar work at Twygate.
Upon introduction to Betty, who, noting my surname, said that I must be from Wesleyville ( which I was ) where her mother ( a Best ) came from
.I told her that I knew the Best Family , recalling Joe and family.
It was very obvious that Betty and Dick were deeply in love and very well matched being Classic scholars .
I recall that Betty and Dick stayed at a Mr Andrews, a blind man but very skillful at the piano, resulting in many singsongs during our two weeks in St Anthony.
It was a very memorable summer for me, both meeting Betty , and as Dick and George introduced me to the zany humor of Beyond the Fringe , which I still quote
Later Betty taught my two sons at MD School and we would meet occasionally as my House on Parliament was very close to Betty’s on Vancouver street.
Sadly, both Dick and George left life way too early .
With sincere condolences
D,r. George Winters
Martha, Catherine, Richard, Wells and Pike family- We are deeply saddened to hear of Betty’s passing. Sending our sincere condolences and thinking about you at this time
To the Wells family,
I was saddened to hear of Betty’s passing. It was a pleasure to have taught with her at MDJH for many years.
Betty was a well respected teacher and colleague.
Harold Laite
To our Pike cousins,
We are heartbroken to hear of Betty’s passing. She was a wonderful person who always greeted us with a hug no matter where we met. May your memories of happy times help you through the difficult times. Please accept our deepest sympathy and know that we are thinking of you.
Richard and family.
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your dear Mom. I remember her well back in the late 70’s early 80’s when you would host gatherings at your family home. She and your dad were always welcoming and hospitable..
Bev Karagianis
Gordon
Sorry to read of your sister’s passing. My condolences.
Richard, Catherine , Martha and families,
My sincere condolences on the loss of your mother. I have many positive memories of her from MDJH. It was an honour to work with her. May your wonderful memories bring you comfort..
Donna Mactavish
So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. She was an outstanding person and one of the finest educator’s that I have known. She had such a positive effect on her students, her colleagues, and indeed with everyone with whom she came into contact. It was an honour and a pleasure to have been able to work with her for so many years.
Hubert and Gaye Hillier
To the Family of Elizabeth Wells
Mrs. Wells was my Grade X and XI history teacher at Prince of Wales Collegiate. It was your Mom’s gifted teaching skills that enabled me to appreciate the merits of pursuing a university education, Thank You Mrs. Wells.
Janet (Driscoll) Short
Martha, Catherine, Richard and families.Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your mother. She was an exceptional teacher who was admired by all her former students.
Martha, Catherine and Richard and family
We were so sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. She was a beautiful soul inside and out and she will be sadly missed. Watson would visit her when I worked in St. John’s and spent many happy hours enjoying her garden and have wonderful chats. He remembers her fondly. You are all in our prayers. Take Care.
Watson, Myra and family
I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Mrs. Wells. I have many vivid memories of her from Vanier days. My deepest sympathies to Catherine and the rest of the family. I hope your memories bring you comfort at this sad time.
Catherine,Richard,and Martha
I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing.She was such a wonderful lady and a great educator. Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one
Sincerely,
Roy Meade.
I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing.
I have many memories of her at MDJH, she was always very soft spoken and considerate , and so proud of her family.
My Sincerest Sympathy
I am so sorry to hear about your Mom! She was such a wonderful lady! So welcoming and kind, always ready with a smile. And her splendid gardens!
My heart goes out to you and all of your family! Speak of her often. Treasure the memories and be proud of their creation.
We are so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing never had the chance of meeting her but exchange a few Christmas cards .sending our deepest Condolences to all the family.cousin Joe Best and VI.
Please amend our previous condolence.
Change 50+ years to 20+ years
Thanks
Angela & Mike Stokes
It was with sadness that we learned of your Mother’s’ passing. We first met when we all lived in the Glenvilla Community on Torbay Road, St. John’s in the 1960s. We all moved to Warren Place, St. John’s (also in the 1960s)) and were neighbors for the next 50+ years. Your Mother was a beautiful person who always put her family first. She certainly will be missed.
Our sincere condolence
We didn’t have the pleasure of meeting your mom. Upon reading her obituary we do know she had an abundance of love for her family. A mother’s love is eternal. Hold on to that infinite love and let it be your guiding light.
Deepest condolences:
Beaton and Muriel Best
Wesleyville, NL
I’m saddened to hear of your mom passing. I had the pleasure of working with her at MDJH and that was special as we were both from Spaniard’s Bay., in fact she reminded me that her first job was working in my father’s store [Isaac Sheppard].
A dedicated educator, a wise and intelligent colleague are just a few of her tremendous qualities.
A beautiful teacher to me! I’ll remember her dearly.