Obituary of Betty Everitt
It is with deepest sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Betty (Bessie Elizabeth) Everitt at Riverview Health Centre on August 10, 2021, two months shy of her 87th birthday.
Mom leaves to cherish her memory, her only daughter Judy Robson and son-in-law Harold; her grandchildren Brian, Karen, Ian and his wife Karleen; her great grandsons, Karen’s sweethearts, Kaiden and Riley; her last surviving youngest brother Bill and his wife Sandy of Calgary; her extended Robson family; and nieces and nephews.
Mom was born Oct 14, 1934, in Winnipeg. Her mother died when she was young, so she left school to help raise her brothers, Norman, Tom, Ray, George and Bill. Even then, she put others ahead of herself. When she was a young woman, she loved to go roller skating at the Winnipeg Roller Rink that was once located at Portage and Langside. In later years, when she was in her seventies, she once again returned to the Winnipeg Roller rink on Sunday mornings, with her daughter, insisting she was able and capable. And we could tell her no different. For all her working life, she worked at the Metropolitan Store, which was on corner of Portage and Carlton, until she retired. There, she made many lifelong friends, from those she worked with to those that were regular customers. Many of which she was so very please to still have to this day.
She always wanted to be busy and active. After she retired, she would take the bus to Kildonan Park where she would play on a mixed soft ball team and insisted that she did not need a baseball glove. Despite everyone’s concern she proved to them that she was right! She enjoyed the occasional bingo game and the occasional bus trip to the States casinos. Until 2 years ago, she was an avid bowler, a force to be reckoned with, bowling twice a week at both Roxy and Rossmere Lanes where she also had many friends. For 30 years, Mom lived in Fort Garry Place, where it seemed every one knew Betty. Mom was fiercely independent, walked daily and never hesitate to bus anywhere, any day.
Mom loved Falcon Lake. She would go camping with her family at any opportunity. She was more than willing to sleep on a cot in a tent and once, insisted she stay, by herself, until Judy and Harold could return from their work week. Our concern was to no avail, because wherever she was, she made friends who would check on her and look out for her. She always said that we could just drive her out there, leave her with a tent and sleeping bag and she’d be fine! She was in her 70’s!
Her family was everything to her! She always wanted to have pictures of her family, her grandchildren and great grandsons, to show everyone and anyone. Her grandchildren were her greatest pride and joy. Mom never missed a Christmas concert, a band concert, piano recital or graduation. She was at every Robson family gathering, which we were blessed to seem to have every month, and you would always find her in the kitchen doing dishes or whatever else she could do to help. She was “Auntie Betty” to all. She will always be remembered by her “nephews” for her Christmas socks and her “nieces” for her Christmas Pot of Gold chocolates. She loved to play games and cards, especially Rummoli. During the last 18 months, Mom and her grandson Brian would have many games of cribbage, at which she certainly was quite a contender.
She was quiet and never wanted to be in the way. She was the kindest, most caring and loving woman you could ever know.
To everyone, she had a heart of gold and was always helping others.
Mom, you will forever be in our hearts and thoughts, and we will miss you so very greatly, forever. But we know, you are free of the pain and discomfort and finally at rest.
We would like to give our sincerest thanks and gratitude to the wonderful nurses, doctors and staff of 2West at Riverview for their kindest, hard work and exceptional care they gave Mom over the past three months.
In tears we saw you sinking,
we watched you fade away,
you suffered much in silence
you fought so hard to stay.
You face your task with courage,
your spirit did not bend,
but still you kept on fighting,
until the very end.
God saw you getting tired,
when a cure was not to be,
so he put his arms around you,
and whispered, “Come to Me”,
So when we saw you sleeping,
so peaceful and free from pain,
we could not wish you back,
to suffer that again.
What is a Mom?
A mom is one of life’s greatest gifts,
Someone to treasure all life through,
She is caring and loving,
Thoughtful and true,
Someone who is always a special part of your life,
Someone who holds a prime place in your heart,
She is a mentor, a confident and also a friend,
Someone on whose love you can depend.
A mom always has your best interest at heart,
She is someone so dear and so good,
She is a blessing, she is a gift,
She is a treasure like no other,
She is someone that is truly wonderful.
Wherever you go, and whatever you do,
A mom’s love will always see you through,
A mom is truly invaluable,
Indispensable and unforgettable,
I wouldn’t want anyone but you,
And that’s why I’m so grateful
that God picked you for me.