Elizabeth Josepha Kind

Elizabeth Josepha Kind (nee Cornell) 1936-2025 Elizabeth (Betty-Jo) passed away peacefully at home on November 22 at the age of 89. Born in Singapore to Ezra and Elizabeth Cornell where her father was working as a highway engineer, the family lived in Alaska and California for most her childhood. Betty-Jo moved to San Francisco as a young woman to study Kinesiology at UCal, where she met her future husband Leon Kind. Giving up her work as an occupational therapist to care for her young children, the family moved from the US to Canada in 1968. When her children were a little older she went back to university completing a degree in Education at MSVU and began teaching grade-six students, specializing in science. She later returned to university to do a Master's degree and began teaching Resource to children with learning disabilities and special needs, which she did until her retirement. Betty-Jo was a very family-oriented, fun-loving and sociable person who loved to see people enjoying themselves, loved cooking (her husband loved to brag about her culinary prowess) and hosted many a soiree and holiday feast. The epic Kind Christmas parties were legendary and she was the heart and soul of them. She also loved the outdoors and didn't let her husband's more sedentary habits keep her from gardening, sailing, cross-country skiing, swimming and walking, the last two of which she did well into her late senior years. Music, literature and art also had an important place in her life. Beloved by her colleagues and her students, to say nothing of her close friends and family - which was everything to her - she always exerted a positive influence on the lives of the people around her. Her natural impulses were towards kindness, compassion and generosity. Even in the last few years of her life, when her capacities were much diminished and she was suffering from various ailments, the sweetness of her disposition never changed, and she remained the same loving, patient, uncomplaining, considerate person to the end. In many important respects, an example to all of us. Betty-Jo was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Leon, and by her daughter, Robin (Rob). She is survived by her sons, Brooks and Peter (Vanessa) and by her grandchildren, Natasha and Joshua. She is deeply missed. Donations in her name can be made to Feed Nova Scotia.

Elizabeth Josepha Kind

June 13, 1936 - November 22, 2025