Elizabeth “Beth” Winterbottom, a long-time member of the Brock University community and OSSTF, passed away on January 6, 2026. Beth dedicated more than three decades of service to Brock, where she was known for her reliability, quiet dedication, pranks, and genuine care for both her work and the people she supported.
Beth began working at Brock in 1982 in the Processing Unit within the Library Cataloguing Department. Her official hire date was September 5, 1989. Over the years, she held several roles across campus, including positions in the IRC and later in Switchboard. She officially became a “Shelver” on January 1, 1997, before moving into the role of Switchboard Operator on June 8, 1998. Beth remained a valued member of the Switchboard team until her retirement on July 31, 2014. In this role, she was often one of the first voices people heard when contacting the University, and she took great pride in helping others find the information and connections they needed.
Beth’s legacy at Brock continues through her family. Her daughter, Caroline Romero, carries on the family tradition as a dedicated OSSTF Brock University Support Staff (BUSS) employee as an Admin assistant in Earth Sciences. Her daughter Rachael Bujtas is also a Brock OSSTF BUSS member, working as an Administrative Coordinator in Recreation & Leisure Studies. Beth’s son, John Winterbottom, is employed at Brock as an Educational Technology Administrator in Computer Services. Their continued service reflects the same commitment and pride that Beth demonstrated throughout her career.
OSSTF BUSS celebrates and honours Beth Winterbottom’s many years of dedication and commitment to Brock University and its community. She will be remembered fondly by colleagues and friends who worked alongside her over the years.
In memory of Elizabeth Caroline Winterbottom, please consider making a donation to one of the following charities:
In honour of Beth’s legacy, OSSTF Brock University Support Staff has made a donation to Wellspring Niagara in her memory.
Her official obituary can be found here:
https://obits.bocchinfusofh.com/elizabeth-winterbottom
Our thoughts are with Beth’s family, friends, and former coworkers during this difficult time.
Brock University Support Staff 