AURELIA ELIZABETH (BETTY) RISK

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of “Betty” on October 23, 2023, at the age of 96 at Extendicare Oakview Place, Winnipeg, MB.

She was pre-deceased by her husband Robert (Bob) of Winnipeg, her parents Edward and Mary Ellen (Droughan), her sister Marie (Linus) and her brothers, Joseph (Betty), John (Margaret), and Thomas (Betty) all of the Hamilton, Ontario area.

Betty will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her children, sons Paul (Cathy), Michael; daughters Mary Margaret (Allan), Kathy and Patricia (Jim); as well as her nieces and nephews.  “Grandma Betty” will also be greatly missed by her ten grandchildren: Ryan (Jen), Kevin (Rheanne), and Lisa (Jason); Ashley (Richard), Matthew (Sam), and Andrew (Vanessa); Jaclyn (Devin) and Lauryn; Adam and Breanne.

Betty was born August 7, 1927, in Smiths Falls, Ontario, the fourth of five children to Mary Ellen and Edward Droughan.  She grew up on Cannon St. East in Hamilton, Ontario.  Betty met her future husband Bob, in 1944.  They were both employed with Canadian Westinghouse.  They later married in October 1951 and spent their early years raising a family while living in North Bay and Blind River in Northern Ontario before settling down in Hamilton. In January 1967, Betty and Bob and their five children moved again for the last time to Winnipeg, MB.

Betty was a “Domestic Engineer” even before the term was invented.  She even provided childcare in her own home before venturing out into the workforce. She eventually found part time employment as a catalogue customer service rep for Sears Canada, Polo Park. While working at Sears, she was also an active member of the Sears Social Club. She remained at Sears for fifteen happy years before retiring in 1986.  In early retirement, she provided childcare for some of her grandchildren.

 

As a neighborhood volunteer, she canvassed annually for the Heart & Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society. She also volunteered many hours working in the Heritage Community Club Canteen where her sons played hockey and her daughters figure skated.

Betty was a devout Catholic and a faithful and founding member of Saint John XXIII Roman Catholic Parish in St. James Assiniboia. In the early years she served as a member of their Parish Board. Later, she also attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Parish in Charleswood. She was also a long-time supporting member of the Catholic Women’s League.

Betty enjoyed cooking, baking, knitting, and she took pleasure in her summer flowers.  In her earlier years, with the family, she enjoyed a bicycle ride through Assiniboine Park and ice skating on the duck pond. She loved music and loved to dance, especially doing high kicks to Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.”  She was an avid sports fan who absolutely loved her Hamilton Tiger Cats and the Winnipeg Jets. Her love of travel and country took her to many parts of Canada and the USA but trips to family events in Hamilton, Ontario were her most memorable.

Betty’s greatest joy and happiness was her family. She loved and lived for her family get togethers. This was evident by the frequent family gatherings throughout the year such as summer weekend backyard BBQs with many a conversation in her much-loved gazebo overlooking the family pool.

Betty will be lovingly remembered as a wonderful Mother and Grandma.  She will always be remembered for her devotion to family, her endless positivity and strength, her humbleness, kindness, and her generous heart. Her welcoming smile, her laugh, and her great sense of humor has been a fixture in all our family events and will remain a part of all of us in the years to come. Her love will remain forever in our hearts.

Betty’s long battle with dementia led to an undeniable loss of the person she once was and the person we once knew.

The family would like to thank all of the dedicated staff at Extendicare Oakview Place, 3rd Floor West, for their support, kindness and compassion during Mom’s care.

Cremation has taken place, and a memorial mass will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, 4588 Roblin Boulevard, Winnipeg, MB.   

PLEASE NOTE:  The funeral mass is also being live-streamed at the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nJR10zZioM

Alternatively, you can also access Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Winnipeg website where you will find a link to its Youtube channel.

If you wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba or a charity of your choice.

“ALWAYS LOVED,

FOREVER MISSED,

NEVER FORGOTTEN”

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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