MUCH respected and beloved local-born businesswoman Betty Tolhurst, was laid to rest on Thursday 1 May at Hogbin Drive Crematorium.
Tributes galore have been shared for a woman who never spoke a bad word about anyone – or received one, her family said.
“Mum never judged people, she never felt anyone had the right to do so,” daughters Michelle and Christine told News Of The Area.
“She was one of those people who never complained, she did what had to be done and gave so much to the community.”
Betty was born in 1932 in the former Sunnyside Hospital in Elizabeth Street, Coffs Harbour.
She left Coffs High School aged 15 and worked at Forsyth’s Pharmacy until she married at the age of 20.
Betty and husband Keith (1927-1996) ran a building business, then an earthmoving business in Coffs Harbour for nearly 50 years.
They carried out the earthworks on the city’s Olympic Pool, subdivisions, and most of the local resorts.
They also built and co-owned the Hoey Moey in 1960, built the Ebor Falls Hotel/Motel, and also donated land to build the Link Road from Coffs to Sawtell.
They donated much back to the community by supplying the machines and operators for the regular dredging of Boambee Creek and redressing the Rugby League field in the off-season.
In building these and many more legacy infrastructures, Betty Tolhurst saw the names of her seven children stamped on the map of Coffs.
A series of closes off Bray Street were named after her girls, Christine, Diane, Katherine, Deborah and Michelle.
While streets were named after her boys, Bradley and Frederick (Billy’s middle name).
“For years she donated big Christmas stockings to the hospital to be raffled as a fundraiser,” her daughters said.
She was also instrumental in the establishment of the Eisteddfod Society in Coffs Harbour, donating to it for many years to ensure its continuation.
Betty started out as a mostly self-taught business administrator, which she did while raising her children.
“She worked really hard and did what had to be done,” said Christine.
“There was no email in those days, and she had no home help…I remember her hanging out nappies on the line at 11pm, all part of a day’s work”
Michelle remembers her mum as very well-presented.
“She never left the house without her stilettos and lippy on,” she said.
The much-loved mother, grandmother, great grandmother – well-known for her beautiful friendly smile and gentle demeanour – will be sadly missed by all who knew her, especially her six surviving children, 19 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
By Andrea FERRARI
