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Betty Risk

Image by Nick Andréka

AURELIA ELIZABETH (BETTY) RISK

(née DROUGHAN)

1927 - 2023

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”

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

Memories, Stories and Condolences

 

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Sheona&Dwayne Miller,Ceilidh,Padraig&Kaleigh

November 14, 2023 at 11:18 AM

Kathy, Mary Margaret and families, deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved mom. I did not have the opportunity to know you mo  But feel I did through stories I heard.  Thoughts are with all of you as you grieve the loss of your mother. RIP Mrs. Risk

Patty Simpson

November 12, 2023 at 11:40 AM

Kathy, sorry to hear of the passing of your dear mother.  I only met her a couple of times but will always remember how kind and happy she was and of course the way she sported her Hamilton Ti-cats hat in her own jaunty way. Rest in peace, Mrs. Risk.  - Patty 

Cathy Garski

November 12, 2023 at 11:26 AM

Kathy, I’m so sorry to learn of the passing of your beloved Mom. May you cherish forever your many happy memories of her. My most heartfelt condolences to you and your family. In her memory I send up a loud, proud “Oskee Wee Wee”! ~Cathy

Merna Bowes

November 9, 2023 at 9:10 PM

My deepest of condolences in the loss of your beautiful precious mom. What a adorable person she was. I’m so glad to have met her at Oakview Place. Rest In Peace Betty. Merna 

Michael Symak

November 9, 2023 at 8:25 AM

What a beautiful tribute to your Mom (and family). My condolences to your family from me and my family. Ever since I met them and Kathy at church in 1978, she has always made me feel welcome at the Risk home. Always happy and full of life. I'm sure that my Mom and Dad have said hi to her now that she is in a better place. I think the Irish Funeral says it best. I think she would like this. " Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Everything remains as it was.  The old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.  Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.  Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Out no sorrow in your tone.  Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort.  Life means all that it ever meant.  It is the same as it ever was.  There is unbroken continuity.  Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?  I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.  All is well. Nothing is hurt, nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before.  How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting, when we meet again." Rest in peace, Mrs. Risk Michael Symak

JO ANN & DON BAKER

November 7, 2023 at 7:40 PM

DEAR TRISH, WE ARE SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE LOSS OF YOUR MOM, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU  ALWAYS . LOVE YOU, MOM & DAD IN-LAWS.

Calla Lofvendahl

November 7, 2023 at 3:42 PM

I am so very sad to learn of your mother's passing, Kathy.  May the love and support of family and friends bring you comfort at this difficult time. Hugs Calla Lofvendahl

Charlene Purcell

November 6, 2023 at 9:14 AM

So sorry for your loss Trish. My condolences to you have all the family.  I have some awesome memories of your mom.  😤❤

Kim Redbourn-Hayes

November 4, 2023 at 5:04 PM

I am so sorry for your loss, Kathy.  My condolences to you and all the family members.  She sounds like she was an absolutely wonderful lady surrounded by lots of love.  Sincerely, Kim Redbourn-Hayes ❤ .  

Edward D. Hughes

November 4, 2023 at 2:13 PM

We were both saddened for the family's loss, yet glad to learn of Betty's blessed release from the ravages of illness. She was a warm-hearted, spiritually sensitive neighbour for many years. Though of different church backgrounds, we shared a mutual faith in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. During family crises  Betty's spiritual sensitivity and genuine concern made here a source of blessing to us. Now she is "absent from the body and present with the Lord." (2nd Corinthians 5:8). May the Lord, whom she loved, bless and comfort all who mourn her passing. Ed and Helen Hughes.
DEATH CARE SERVICES OF WINNIPEG INC.  Copyright 2019

Ethical Death Care (Death Care Services Inc.) is privately, independently, and locally owned. Shane Neufeld and the original team of Integrity Death Care own and manage this organisation.

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