Re: Trying to figure out my genealogy

Hello Stephanie,

I have no connection to this family.Saw your query and did some searching.This is what I have found:

Betty Merkley, 63

FERGUS -- Elizabeth "Betty" Merkley, 63, formerly of Brockville, died of heart failure December 15 at the Caressant Care Nursing Home in Fergus, Ont. after an illness lasting several years.

She was born Elizabeth Halladay on May 22, 1940 in Brockville. Her parents were Gordon Halladay and the former Audrey Orange. She moved to the outskirts of Stones Corners in her early childhood and began school there. Later, after the death of her parents, she was cared for by her late aunt Gwendolyn Charter (nee Orange) in Ottawa and continued school there.

In 1958, she married Lawrence Merkley Sr. Leaving Ottawa, she returned to the Brockville area where she lived until she was 38. In 1978, three years after divorcing Lawrence Merkley Sr., she moved to Guelph with her dear friend Alton "Ben" Becker, whom she had met in Cardinal. They lived as common-law spouses for 25 years.

Mrs. Merkley worked at RCA in Prescott and Automatic Electric in Brockville. Since her move to Guelph, she was primarily a homemaker, although she held part-time jobs.

She enjoyed gardening, surfing the Internet and chatting with people all over the world. In recent years, she returned to school to study computers and English to better equip her for her hobbies. She also spent time painting and finishing woodworking projects started by Ben.

Other interests included collecting salt and pepper shakers and talking to her family. She was known for her love of poetry and her words of encouragement sent to family and friends.

She had 13 grandchildren, two great-grand children and many step-grandchildren.

Elizabeth is survived by Ben Becker; her children, Lawrence "Larry" Merkley of Prescott, Brent Merkley and wife Carolyn of Prescott, David Merkley of Guelph, Darryl Merkley and wife Anne of Prescott and Laurie Randle and husband Douglas of Brockville.

Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, Bradley, John, Stephanie, Nicole, Jordan, Cameron, Jenna, Michael, Kristina, Jacqueline, Mitchell, Tessa and Spencer, and two great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Kristianne Vandine.

She is also survived by brothers Wilfred Halladay and wife Wilma of Lyn, Keith "Sam" Halladay of Brockville, Donald Halladay and wife Laurence of Brockville and sisters Grace Hutton of Brockville and Anna Ballantyne and husband Robin of Brockville.

Six step-children also survive her, Rose, Marilyn Pharoah and husband Verne, Kathy Alessio, Heather Martin and husband Keith, Joe Becker and wife Mena and John Becker, as well as many stepgrandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents Gordon and Audrey Halladay, sisters Irene Halladay and Eleanor Gibson and brothers Harry, Robert, Reginald and Kenneth "Charlie" Halladay.

Friends called at the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home, in Fergus, Ont., before the funeral, which was held on December 19.

Burial will take place in the spring at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Maitland.

Memorial donations were made to the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Lung Association.


Published in Section b, page 11 in the Friday, January 9, 2004 edition of the Brockville Recorder & Times.

Now you have your grandmother's maiden name - HALLADAY with information about her brothers.
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Obituaries - Dec. 17, 2003

MERKLEY (Becker), Elizabeth Betty - Passed away at Groves Memorial Community Hospital, Fergus on Monday, December 15, 2003, in her 64th year. Loving wife of Ben Becker of Fergus; loving mother of Larry Merkley, Brent Merkley and his wife Caroline, Dave Merkley and Heather, Laurie and her husband Doug Randle and Darryl Merkley and his wife Ann. Dear step-mother of Rose, Marilyn and her husband Verne Pharoah, Kathy Alessio, Heather and her husband Keith Martin, Joe Becker and his wife Mena and John Becker. Sadly missed by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and her brothers and sisters. A memorial service will be held at Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home and Chapel, 280 St. David St. S., Fergus on Friday, December 19, 2003 at 1 p.m. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or Lung Association. (Cards available at the funeral home 843-3100) www.grahamgiddyfh.com
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You also have when she and your grandfather married - 1958.You can get a copy of the marriage certificate from Ottawa with that information.

I cannot find anything else without more information.

Regards,
Susan Nass
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