Elizabeth Ann (Doyle) “Betty” Canning of Langdon, N.H., and Westport Island, died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of February 21, 2014. A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and community member dedicated to a life of service and civic engagement, she leaves a legacy of resilience, tenacity, humor and love.

Betty, born November 2, 1924 in Cambridge, Mass., was the eldest daughter of Ruth and J. Louis Doyle, of Belmont, Mass., and West Shore Road, Westport Island. Betty was particularly close to her father, who was an artist. Her siblings were Ruth Caron, currently of Keene, N.H., and the late John and Jim Doyle.

Betty graduated from Cambridge Rindge and Latin, class of 1942, and went on to the Faulkner Hospital Nursing School, Jamaica Plain, Mass., as a Cadet Nurse. Later, as an RN, her accomplished career in nursing spanned 50 years in positions she loved, such as director of nursing at Anna Jacques Hospital in Newburyport, Mass. and as executive director of The Homestead and Merton’s House in Woodstock, Vt.

Betty raised her four children, Jane, Beth, Jay and Carol, on her own in the 1950s and ’60s, working nights as a nurse. She consistently advanced her education, studying at North Shore Community College, and in 1978 received her bachelor’s degree from University of Massachusetts, Amherst — proudly graduating alongside her son, Jay. Tragically, all three daughters predeceased Betty, a burden she suffered acutely.  

Raised in the Roman Catholic faith, Betty embraced a path of spiritual inquiry and was particularly comforted by the teachings of Henri Nouwen and the poetry of Khalil Gibran. Throughout her life she took courses in world religions, and spoke often of her belief in the unity of the human family. A world traveler, Betty spent a period in 1970 volunteering at a clinic in Medellin, Colombia. She also traveled to China, throughout Europe and Ireland, and ultimately declared Turkey as her favorite destination because of its rich history as a crossroads of cultures and religions. Betty was strident in her political beliefs and there were no gray areas. She never missed her opportunity to vote the most progressive candidates on the ticket, or to tell anyone within earshot to do the same.

In 1995 she retired to her home and community in Langdon, N.H., where she lived until 2012. She lovingly tended her gardens, cared for her pets, was active in Rotary and in the town’s charities and civic life. Betty also enjoyed a lifetime of summer memories on Westport Island where, in 2008, she built a new home with her son Jay on Pierce Road.

Betty leaves many loving relatives and friends, including her son Jay and his wife Caroline Canning of Burlington, Vt., and Westport Island; her grandchildren, Doyle Elizabeth Canning and husband Justin, and great-granddaughter, Almina Jane of Boston, Mass.; James Christopher Canning and wife Ana; and great-grandsons, James Oliver of Bethesda, Md.; Matthew Paul Canning of Burlington, Vt.; William Louis Canning of Washington, D.C., and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Betty’s memory for the Fall Mountain Food Shelf, where she was a loyal volunteer, 122 Route 12A, Langdon, NH 03602. Contact: Mary Lou Huffling, 603-835-2283.