Betty Gladys Dobroskay

Born in Cudworth, Saskatchewan on March 1, 1927, Betty was christened Wasylina Tokaryk. At the age of six months, she moved with her family to a farm near Speers, SK where she grew up during the Great Depression. After her marriage to Nick Dobroskay (Dobrovolsky), she moved to Ontario with her husband and two little boys. There, they spent a short time with her husband’s relatives before moving to Simcoe and then later, Hamilton, Ontario. Betty had five children; Emerson and Gary, born in Saskatchewan, Priscilla and Darlene, born in Ontario, and when the family moved back to Saskatchewan, Grant was born. Many years later she was divorced from her husband and found a new companion in the person of Milton Horta with whom she lived, near Winnipeg, for 37 years. She is predeceased by her brothers, Bill, Louis, Fred, John, and Mike; sisters, Baby Annie, Mary, Catherine, and Anne; and her beloved son, Grant. Betty is survived by her children, Emerson Sr. (Sherrie), Gary (Blanche), Priscilla (Solly), and Darlene; brothers; Harry (Evelyn) and George (Freda); sister, Hilda; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Quotations from Betty Dobroskay’s memoires: “It is a wonderful thing to give birth to and raise a child, but having grandchildren, I feel, raised one’s soul to greater heights and gives greater joy.”

“For me, it’s the true understanding that you extend life through your children and reach beyond through your grandchildren."

To my dear grandchildren: “ You have given me so much love, so you much joy and so much hope – I thank you…"

Thank you all: "Emerson Dobroskay Jr., Chris Lawson, Natalie Lawson, Jamil Sader, and Kasim Sader. You all make me very proud of you.”

Donations in memory of Betty are gratefully accepted to the Canadian Diabetes Association (PO Box 26331, Stn BRM B, Toronto, ON, M7Y 4R1).