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Peacefully, with her children by her side, on March 18, 2025, at Bluewater Health Hospital, Elizabeth “Betty” Jean Cloes went to join her beloved husband/friend Richard “Dick” Cloes in heaven. She was a vibrant 86 years of age. She leaves behind her children – Victoria (Ric), Dwayne (Tara), Susan (Dan) and Todd. Cherished Grandma of Jeremy, Adam (Lindsay), Tori (Michael) Lee (Deanna). Richard (Adrianna) and Mackenzie. Ryan (Alyson) and Samantha (Chris). Shea (Mitch) and Brynn (Graham). Treasured “GG” Great-Grandma of Dallas, Harrison, Grace, Garth, Aven, Willa, Wes, Billie and Georgia. Predeceased by her parents John and Jean Dowswell, brother Jack and sister Corrine.
A Sarnia city girl. Betty Jean Dowswell was born in 1938, attended Lochiel St. and S.C.I.T.S. schools and was a Central Baptist Church member for her lifetime. Church and worship were important to Betty, in later years she served on the council there and took her responsibilities seriously. Ever the organizer, Mom kept impeccable notes in neatly organized folders. That’s how Betty rolled, she had an operating system before they had a name for it. Mom had standards, organized, on time, kindness and always look your best, those were her natural traits. Traits imparted to her kids with love none the less. When us four kids were very young, lined up in the back seat of the family car going to visit family or friends, while Dad drove, Mom would be turned around in the front seat inspecting each of us carefully. Straightening collars, combing hair, cleaning spots off faces with a Kleenex dampened with her tongue, all while providing advice regarding expected behaviour.
Betty Jean Dowswell was 17 when she married 22-year-old Dick Cloes from Tillsonburg, she would joke that husband raised her. They were together pretty much every single day up until Dad died in 2008, 53 years of marriage. She still spoke of him to her last day.
Mom was a people person, she liked to laugh, she loved music, fun crowds, having parties, singing loudly to her favourite songs while disregarding the key. She’d rattle ice cubes in her empty crystal cut glass so Dad could replenish it with a splash of bourbon, Mom made friends easily. She had close and lasting friendships with her neighbours. She spoke well of people, was interested in their stories without judging. People gravitated to Mom, she had friends because she was friendly, she could also tactfully negotiate conversations if they became awkward or crass without ever offending anyone.
Mom and Dad hosted countless parties in their homes, inviting many different friends with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The good times at Dick and Betty’s are legend.
There isn’t a life lived that doesn’t experience some difficult times. Mom had her share of course. She kept them mostly to herself. Occasionally when sitting alone with me she would confide a time of struggle for her. Looking out over the lake she’d speak wistfully but matter of factly, Mom would be concise on the issue, then when finishing her piece, she’d lift her chin and her glass in the air and pronounce "then I turned the page"
Mom was happiest when closest to Lake Huron. She grew up beside it, sunned on its beach, boated on it and swam in it and was witness to its storms and calm.
She spent her summers as a child at her parent’s cottage at the lake, then a cottage of her own with her growing family. Mom lived on the lakefront in her mid-years and then looked out over it from her eighth-floor balcony in her last years. Mom was one with the lake, another trait lovingly imparted to her family. We miss you Mom.
Thanks for reading this wee story about our Mother… Oh! and if you find yourself sitting on a beach and you hear the rattle of ice in an empty glass, that’s Mom saying hello to a friend, you.
Cremation has taken place. Family and friends will be received at Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia, on Friday, April 11, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A memorial service will take place at Smith Funeral Home on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with family and friends being received one hour prior from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
