Betty Thompson

Betty Thompson
Born1934 (1934)
Walkerton, Ontario, Canada
Died1994(1994-00-00) (aged 59–60)
Cause of deathBreast cancer
Alma materRyerson Polytechnical Institute
OccupationTelevision presenter
EmployerCKCO-TV

Betty Thompson (1934–1994) was a Canadian television presenter who spent most of her career at CKCO-TV in Kitchener, Ontario. She was seen throughout Canada as host of CTV's version of Romper Room, a children's programme produced at CKCO's studios.

She was born in Walkerton, Ontario, raised in Peterborough, Ontario and studied broadcasting at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. She was married twice and had three daughters, Susan, Patricia and Judith.

The annual Betty Thompson Golf Classic began in 1992 as a financial support for breast cancer education and research.[1] She would die from this disease in 1994, four years after diagnosis. During her lifetime, Thompson would contribute to many charitable and community causes, particularly in Kitchener and its region.[2] The causes included Oktoberfest and Big Sisters.[3]

During the four years she suffered from cancer, she openly discussed her disease, and was an advocate for its treatment.[4][5] The Betty Thompson Youth Centre, which opened in 1996[6][7][8] and has been run by Lutherwood since late 2000,[9] is named after her.[10]

  1. ^ Mosgrave, Jane (16 October 2000). "Zonta working for women". Cambridge Reporter. p. A3.
  2. ^ "Broadcaster, volunteer, Betty Thompson dies". Kitchener-Waterloo Record. 11 April 1994. p. B1.
  3. ^ Latif, Anam (12 April 2015). "Local charity celebrating 25 years: Founded by the late Betty Thompson, Best Friends continues to fundraise for various causes". Waterloo Region Record. p. B3.
  4. ^ Malleck, Bonnie (11 September 1991). "Thompson's fight with breast cancer adds poignancy to CKCO program". Kitchener-Waterloo Record. p. F2.
  5. ^ Ford, Barbara (21 August 1992). "There's no better time than fall to get fit". The Windsor Star. p. C11.
  6. ^ "$4,000 goes to youth centre". The Record. 21 February 1995. p. B1.
  7. ^ Wood, Dianne (22 April 1995). "Homeless youth, runaways to get downtown shelter". The Record. p. B2.
  8. ^ Wood, Dianne (29 March 1996). "Downtown youth centre officially opens its doors". The Record. p. B2.
  9. ^ Goodwin, Carol (15 December 2001). "Celebration with a sparkle; Betty Thompson Youth Centre marks 1st anniversary of reopening". The Record. p. B4.
  10. ^ "Our History". Lutherwood. Retrieved 26 February 2017.[permanent dead link]