Lydia Biddle

BIDDLE, Lydia Elizabeth (nee Bodrug-Berezowska) Peacefully in Bracebridge, in her 104th year. Daughter of the late Rev. John & Olga (Bachinska) Bodrug-Berezowski. Beloved wife of the late John Burbank Biddle (d. 1989). Cherished mother of Sylvia Glassford and her husband Tom of Muskoka. Much loved grandmother of Tom Jr. of Bracebridge and Laurie Etheridge and her husband Augie of North Carolina. Dear great-grandmother of Christopher Etheridge. Predeceased by her brothers Michael, Nestor (Muriel Bell, d.), William (Doris Ogilvie, d.), Edward (Kathleen Hewitt, d.) and sisters Alice Smith (Seward, d.) and Jenny. Survived by her sister Mary Horbay (Stephen Shumeyko d., and Dimitri Horbay d.) of Oakville, and many loving nieces and nephews. Lydia studied voice under E. Ferrari-Fontana in Toronto and New York. She was "Maria" in V. Avramenko's first (1936) Ukrainian movie made in North America, "Natlka Poltavka". She sang on her husband John's radio programs, The Lipton Memory Hour and Hymntide. Lydia and John moved to Bracebridge in 1957 and are remembered for their contribution to the music of the United and Presbyterian churches, for their work with the early Association for Community Living and their involvement in Rotary. When Lydia and John came to Bracebridge in 1957 as proprietors of the Albion Hotel, it was then a dry commercial hotel. They ran the Albion for five years. Then, while her husband became the first Superintendent of The Pines, Lydia worked as secretary for Fitzmaurice and Boyer, Ontario Land Surveyors and then as Probation Office Secretary and Court Reporter in Bracebridge and Toronto until her retirement. A memorial service will be held at a later date. If you wish to make a donation in memory of Lydia, the family would appreciated it if you would consider Community Living South Muskoka, 15 Depot Dr., Bracebridge, ON P1L 0A1. Arrangements entrusted to Reynolds Funeral Home ‘Turner Chapel' of Bracebridge. Messages of condolence can be made at www.reynoldsfuneral.com

Interment Details

Innisvale Crematorium