Elizabeth Slaney

ELIZABETH LAURA SLANEY Elizabeth (Beth) Laura Slaney died peacefully at her Magnetawan home on Thursday September 12, 2013. Beth was in her 92nd year. Beth was the granddaughter of Walter and Frederika Knight who pioneered a move to Burk's Falls in the mid 1800's establishing the Knight Brothers Lumber Mill. The Knights raised a family of three children: Lynda, Edgar and Laura who was Beth's mother. Beth's father was Dr. Chester O'Brien, a well respected dentist in Toronto. Beth was raised along with her four brothers and sisters in the city with her summers spent on Lake Cecebe. Beth was born August 16, 1922 at the family's summer home, Old Point Comfort on Lake Cecebe. Beth married Harold Van Egmond Slaney, C.A. in 1943 in Toronto. Their only child Shaaron and her husband John McDonald retired to live near Beth at their cottage on Lake Cecebe. After thirty five years as President of her own public relations company in Toronto Beth retired to be near her birthplace on Lake Cecebe where she desired a "more reasonable life". She enjoyed nature, and a love of animals, having had delightful poodles as her companions over the years. Her passion was reading and following the political issues of the day. After some years of community work and public relations projects, Beth wrote a book in collaboration with long term MP Stan Darling: The Darling Diaries, A Political Memoir. Beth wrote various articles and stories for publication, and was a local radio broadcaster. Her philosophy has always been " Do what you can to help, then get on with it". She will be lovingly missed by her daughter Shaaron and John, her sister Florence Lynda (Laurie) Bowles and husband Steve, nieces Jennifer Roberson and Cynthia Wignot and their families in Oregon and nephew Phillip Dunn in California. A special thank you for the care and loving kindness by Dr. David Apramian and the staff at the Burk's Falls Health Team. Warm appreciation to Sandy Walker, Lynne Turnbull of Burk's Falls and Don White of Magnetawan for their wonderful help over the years. Private arrangements have been made by the family are entrusted to the Opatovsky Funeral Home - Demspter Chapel, 210 Ontario Street in Burk's Falls. In lieu of flowers please contribute donations on behalf of Beth to the SPCA or an animal rescue centre of your choice.