February 14, 1938 - July 27, 2026

It is with great sadness that the family of Betty Jean Bailey (n茅e Dryden) announces her passing on Monday, July 27th, 2026, peacefully at the age of 88. She passed away at the Mindemoya Hospital with her daughter, Valerie, family friend, Bobby Joe and minister Susan by her side. Betty Jean was born on February 14th, 1938, to the late Grace (n茅e Caddel) and Andy Dryden at the Mindemoya Hospital. She was the beloved wife of the late Glendon Bailey. Betty Jean called Dryden鈥檚 Corner her childhood home and worked at Gordon鈥檚 Lodge in Gore Bay, Williamson鈥檚 in Mindemoya and Ward鈥檚 Store in Tehkummah, until she met her sweetheart Glendon and they married July 18th, 1964. They called South Baymouth their home and Betty Jean lived in their family home until her passing. In 1965, Betty Jean become the proud mother of Valerie Gail. For more than 30 years, Betty Jean and Glendon owned and ran GG Bailey鈥檚 General Store. You could find just about anything, and Betty Jean was always there to help and enjoy a good conversation with the local residents and visitors. Betty Jean created many lasting friendships through the store. Year after year, friends would come back to see her and stock up on supplies for their holidays. Often people would just stop in to visit and catch up with their friend Betty Jean. Betty Jean and Glendon soon added to their store, and she became postmaster of South Baymouth and then added the liquor and beer store to their establishment. Betty Jean has a lot of interests: playing cards (euchre, cribbage, you name it she would probably know how to play, bingo (TV bingo was her favourite), a proud member of the St Andrew鈥檚 by the Sea United Church in South Baymouth and the Tehkummah Seniors Club. Betty Jean鈥檚 greatest love was spending time with her husband Glendon and daughter Valerie. She loved to have a great chat with people and spent many hours volunteering in her town and the Tehkummah hall. She had a great passion and green thumb for her flower garden and enjoyed being in her gardens. Predeceased by her sister, the late Mary Ann McCutcheon (late Harold), and brother,  late Douglas Dryden (Sally), cherished aunt of many nieces and nephews and longtime friend of the late Bill Case. In later years, Valerie moved back to South Baymouth to live with her mother. Having her daughter by her side once again brought Betty Jean immense happiness and was a great source of joy to her. A celebration of life will be held at the Tehkummah Hall Saturday, September 26th, 2026, from 1 to 4 pm. Burial will be held at a later date. In memory of Betty Jean, you can make a donation to St. Andrew鈥檚 by the Sea United Church in South Baymouth, Tehkummah First Responders or the Mindemoya Hospital Auxiliary. Cremation services provided by Simple Wishes of the North and Crystal Crematorium. 

Death Notices - The Manitoulin Expositor
Honouring the lives and legacies of our community members.
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