Elizabeth Catherine Cowan

(nee Stobbs)

Peacefully at home, with family by her side, Elizabeth (Betty) passed away on February 2, 2014. Betty’s memory will be cherished by her loving husband of 59 years, Richard, and her devoted children Margaret, John (Janis), Cathie (Kurt); grandchildren Andrew, Megan (Kevin), Stuart; Rachel and Owen; and her sister Joan (Arthur) Jorgenson; nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her parents John and Kathleen Stobbs.

Betty was born in Saskatoon on June 3, 1931 and grew up in a loving home with her parents and sister. She enjoyed the simple things in life, loved being outside, and exploring the undeveloped areas of Saskatoon with her sister Joan and good friend Maggie.

Betty completed grade 13 and then worked at a local Saskatoon bakery doing daily accounting and bookkeeping. Betty met Richard and they were married on October 4, 1954 in Saskatoon. After a few years of marriage, they moved to Winnipeg and raised their three children in the family home in Norwood Flats, St. Boniface.

Mom stayed at home, making sure the house was in order, cared for the family, was active in the children’s activities, and baking was her specialty with delicious cookies, apple pies and applesauce made from apples from the backyard apple trees. Mom liked to listen to music from the big band era, knit, sew, and finish crossword puzzles. She enjoyed ladies swimming and aquasize at the St. Vital YMCA, and was the coordinator and player of the Norwood Badminton Club for 41 years. Mom canvassed for various charities and was also involved with the Alter Guild of St. Philip’s Anglican Church.

Mom and dad purchased a cottage at Moose Lake in 1965, and so began the many years of cherished memories of cottage life. Mom looked forward to summer seasons of swimming, evening walks, playing cards, reading, planting flowers, feeding the humming birds, and enjoying the warm lake breezes while having happy hour on the dock with a gin and tonic. Mom started retirement with dad in 1979 and together; they traveled extensively to warm vacation spots in Hawaii, Mexico, Cuba, bus tours of Europe and cruises into the Caribbean islands and Panama Canal. In 1996, they decided to be snowbirds and stay portions of the winter months at Rock Shadows - Apache Junction, Arizona enjoying hiking, playing cards and visiting with family and friends.

Mom had a wonderful life. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and was so thankful that family was always close by. Mom was truly a happy soul, with a positive outlook, loving disposition and a warm smile. She remained in good spirits and was at peace through her last difficult months. The family would like to thank the palliative care nurses Kelly and Andre for their kind and compassionate care.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 7th, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, 240 Tache Ave. Winnipeg, with an immediate family interment to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba.