In Loving Memory of

Elizabeth “Betty Jean” (née Heighton) Earle

1948–2026

On August 25, 2026, we said farewell to Mom — Elizabeth to some, Betty Jean to family and friends, and “Sami” to her three cherished grandsons. She was 77 years old and passed peacefully with her daughter Rebecca by her side.

Born December 16, 1948, at the old Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow, Elizabeth grew up in Plymouth Park and went on to build a life devoted to family, learning, and teaching others.

“Music was part of Elizabeth’s soul” — the headline of a newspaper article written about her in 2003. It was a fitting description of someone whose life was so deeply intertwined with music. At the age of 13, her parents recognized her talents and enrolled her in piano lessons with Vesta Mosher. She also loved to sing and became a member of several church and school choirs, including the Pictou County choral group, “The Trebelettes.” At just 14, she began giving piano lessons under the guidance of her teacher to make a little money — and so began a lifelong career in music.

Elizabeth attended Teacher’s College, graduating in 1970. She taught school for a year in Truro before spending a year in Newfoundland, where she taught, experienced the province, and explored her family roots. She returned to Pictou County, where she settled. Over the following decades, she shared her love of music through education and performance, teaching at New Glasgow High School, serving as pipe organist at Sharon St. John United Church in Stellarton, and running an in-home music studio where she offered lessons in voice, theory, and piano.

Elizabeth was incredibly proud of all her students, including her daughter Rebecca and nephew Kevin. She spent many late nights at the piano helping students prepare for the New Glasgow Music Festival, and many went on to receive high marks and awards, including the prestigious Rose Bowl. Some continued their musical journeys by pursuing music at university. Her students ranged from young children to adults, and she took great pride in watching each of them grow in both musical ability and confidence. On weekends, she could often be found playing the organ or piano for church services, special community concerts, weddings, and funerals.

A lifelong learner, Elizabeth graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in pipe organ studies and minoring in psychology. Her desire to continue helping others led her to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work from Dalhousie University, graduating in 1995.

Elizabeth was also a past member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Harmony Chapter No. 25, where she served as organist for many years and Worthy Grand Matron in 2004–2005.

Those who knew Elizabeth will remember her for her patience, intelligence, musical talents, style and quiet strength. She loved to talk, but was equally gifted at listening, and she had a genuine interest in people and their stories. She enjoyed reading, particularly history and theology; researching genealogy; oil painting; music and dancing; cooking; a good shopping day; and beautiful things — especially her carefully curated jewelry collection. In recent years, she could often be found keeping her mind sharp with a crossword puzzle, and she returned to painting as a source of reflection and relaxation.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents, Betty (2011) and Henry Heighton (2007); her former husband, Colin Earle (2010); and her beloved partner and best friend, Gary Higgins (2020).

Family was at the heart of Elizabeth’s life. She was a devoted mother to Rebecca and a loving grandmother to Nolan, Seamus, and Rory. Elizabeth and Gary cherished their time as “Sami and Papa,” creating countless special memories with the boys. After Gary’s passing in 2020, Elizabeth moved to Upper Tantallon to live with Rebecca and Shawn, where she became an even bigger part of the boys’ everyday lives. She was happiest when she was in the kitchen cooking and baking treats with them or listening to their “mini-stick hockey games” outside her bedroom door.

Her favourite place to be was near the ocean, and she took every opportunity to get to the beach, even as her health began to fail. In October 2022, Elizabeth was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and began travelling to the hospital three to four times a week for hemodialysis, spending many hours at a time in treatment. She faced each day with determination, strength, and unwavering bravery, never allowing her illness to define who she was. She continued to find joy with her family, through painting, and in the simple moments that meant so much to her.

Elizabeth’s memory will be cherished by her loving daughter, Rebecca, and her son-in-law, Shawn MacKay; her adored grandsons, Nolan, Seamus, and Rory; her sister, Ann Marie, and brother-in-law, Dale Murdock; niece Heather; nephews Andrew and Kevin (Gail); great-niece Kaycee and great-nephew David; Aunt Betty MacDonald; many cousins, extended family members, students, and friends who loved her dearly.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who supported Mom and our family over the last four years. You went above and beyond in so many ways: the Renal Dialysis Team at Nova Scotia Health, especially all the exceptional dialysis technicians, bedside nurses, and Nurse Practitioner Risa Cameron; Mom’s family doctor, Dr. Casey Obi; Continuing Care Assistant Tracey Keagan from Closing the Gap Healthcare; Camryn Laba and Abby Beaton from Golden Living; Jon Ladha and Renee Rafuse from KindWay; the pharmacy team at the Medicine Shoppe in Tantallon; and the many EHS paramedics and VON nurses who visited our home to provide care and support. We are also deeply grateful to Nurse Practitioner Amanda Richey Lamar and the Registered Nurses on Cardiology Unit 6.2 at the Halifax Infirmary, who cared for Mom with such compassion in her final days.

To every person who was part of Mom’s journey through illness and care, thank you. Your kindness, gentleness, and support meant more to us than you will ever know. You were a source of comfort and strength to Mom and to all of us.

Visitation will take place Saturday, September 5, from 1–3 p.m. at the H.W. Angus Funeral Home, New Glasgow, followed by a Celebration of Life and reception honoring Elizabeth and Gary at the H.W. Angus Funeral Home.

Cremation has taken place, and Elizabeth will be laid to rest alongside her beloved partner, Gary Higgins, at Bridgeville Cemetery.

Donations in Elizabeth’s memory may be made to:

~ The Kidney Foundation of Canada

https://kidney.ca

~ Caregivers Nova Scotia

https://caregiversns.org/donate/

~ New Glasgow Music Festival

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/new-glasgow-music-festival-association/

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make. — The Beatles