Elizabeth "Betty" (Carscallen) Marmura was the great-great-granddaughter of John Culbert and Mary Ward.
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Several years ago, I asked Betty if she would write an autobiographical sketch for the Culbert Family History Blog. She laughed and replied, "One of these days my kids can send you a bio of me, when I am no longer around to read it!" Here follows her obituary from MacIsaac Funeral Home in Antigonish, Nova Scotia:
Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Susan Marmura (nee Carscallen), passed away on May 31, 2026 at St Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, Nova Scotia at age 88. She is predeceased by her parents, Charles and Muriel (nee Mills) Carscallen, her dear brother Peter Carscallen, and her beloved husband Michael Marmura. She is survived by her three children, Heather, Stephen (Bridget), and Timothy, and her four grandchildren, Simon, Phoebe (Jake), Hana (Pablo), and Allison (Max), as well as cousins, nieces and nephews.
Betty was born in Oshawa, Ontario on September 21, 1937. Her father was an engineer in the Canadian Army and so the family moved frequently. She spent her childhood and teenage years in Merrickville, Whitby, Ottawa, and Kingston, Ontario, as well as two years in Germany. Betty graduated from McGill University in 1960 with a BSc in Agriculture and followed this with an MA in Economics from the University of Toronto in 1962. It is there that she met her best friend and husband Michael. Together they raised their children on Douglas Crescent in Toronto. During these busy years, Betty returned to school studying at Emmanuel College, graduating with her Master of Divinity in 1982. She then served as a United Church minister at St Luke’s United Church in downtown Toronto.
Betty was involved with Canadian history and politics from the time she was a teenager and after moving to Antigonish in 2009 returned to that passion. She was particularly interested in the process of Canadian confederation and spent many happy hours in the provincial archives in Saint John and Fredericton. She was a voracious reader and never stopped learning, taking workshops in Truth and Reconciliation, courses in Maritime history at St. Francis Xavier University, as well as studying Arabic and Sign language in hopes of furthering her communication with Syrian newcomers and the young men at her son Tim’s home at L’Arche.
Apart from her keen intellect, she was a wise and thoughtful soul. Anyone who encountered Betty knew of her incredible integrity and her indomitable energy that she put toward those whom she cared about. She worked tirelessly for justice for Palestinians both as a clergy person and a citizen, even delivering a related address at the UN. She was a fierce advocate for those with intellectual disabilities celebrating and honouring their lives while working toward real and meaningful inclusion. She was a loving mother and grandmother. Her exceptional generosity went well beyond her family and extended to her friends, relatives, the community, and the natural world around her. Her spirit and love will remain with us always for as she wrote: “Love abides, it is all that abides and what more could we ask?”
We are grateful to all those who supported her care over the last few years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to L’Arche Antigonish, Oxfam (For Oxfam donations please use this link and mention in memory of Elizabeth Marmura. http://secured.oxfam.ca/page/164200/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=website-redirect) or Doctors without Borders where they will be directed to relief for Gaza and the West Bank. (http://action.msf.ca/site/Donation2df_id=5640&mfc_pref=T&5640.donation=form1&s_locale=en_CA)
A private graveside ceremony took place June 2nd with burial in St. Paul’s/St. James cemetery, Antigonish. There will be a celebration of her life and reception on June 20, from 1-4 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 59, 75 St. Ninian St. Antigonish, open to all. We look forward to sharing our thoughts and memories with those who can attend. If you cannot be there and would like to share a story, we will be happy to read those at the celebration. The microphone will be on starting at 2:00.
Celebration of Life
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| Betty Carscallen with her great-grandmother, Jane Eleanor (Fairhall) Culbert of Lucan, Ontario in 1937. |
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| Betty Carscallen (left) and her brother Peter Carscallen (right) with their great-grandmother, Jane Eleanor (Fairhall) Culbert of Lucan, Ontario. 1940s. |
Ancestors:
John Culbert & Mary Ward (great-great-grandparents)
Richard Culbert & Jane Fairhall (great-grandparents)
Hulda May Culbert & Charles Rupert Carscallen (grandparents)
Charles Newton Carscallen & Muriel Adelaide Mills (parents)
Descendants (Children):
Heather
Stephen
Timothy
You can read about Betty's father, Charles Newton Carscallen by clicking here. You can also read about her amazing grandparents, Hulda May Culbert and Rev. Charles Rupert Carscallen by clicking here.
