Betty Frances Holbrow

(nee Johnstone)

Our dear Mum died peacefully in her sleep on November 10, 2013.

In everlasting life Betty joins her husband, Alfred, who predeceased her on January 30, 1996, her parents, Edwin and Ruby (nee Cowie) Johnstone, and younger sister, Barbara Johnstone.

Mum thrived in her role as wife, mother, and Nana. She is survived by her loving children: Patricia, Margaret (Bernard) Van Benthem, Robert (Dorothy Lindsay) and William; her precious grandchildren: Lisa (Stephen) Babiuk, David Van Benthem, and John Van Benthem (Dayna Canfield); and her darling great-grandchildren: Kayla and Kathryn Babiuk and Brady and Noah Van Benthem. Daily we felt loved and special. This love and compassion, combined with a listening ear and understanding heart has strengthened each of us.

Betty Frances was born in Winnipeg on November 6, 1919 and lived her entire life enjoying the parks, culture and resources of this city. She attended Wolseley, Isaac Brock and Gordon Bell High School. Upon graduation she attended a business college and was employed by Pilkington Glass until she married. In the ‘70s she returned to the workforce and was employed by MTS utilizing her exemplary office skills until she retired at age 65.

Alf and Betty were married in Winnipeg at All Saints’ Church on May 2, 1942; their love and devotion to each other lasting their lifetimes. All Saints’ was the centre of their spiritual and musical lives and here they nurtured lasting friendships. She worked tirelessly but happily supporting her church guilds, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, going door-to-door in West Broadway to encourage church participation by community children, volunteering at the Manitoba Music Festival and the Wednesday Morning Musicale, and working as an enumerator for the Census and on voting day.

Happy to be a stay-at-home mother, Betty was committed to the growth and enrichment of her family. She taught by example to respect and honour family traditions and on a shoe-string budget she created a warm and inviting home that welcomed many guests. Special dinners with a beautifully laid table were prepared to mark birthdays and special celebrations. When she prepared her famous fruitcake at Christmas the batter waited in the huge basin until we each had our “lucky stir”. Renting a rustic cabin for the family the first two weeks of July was a summer ritual by train to Grand and Victoria Beaches and later on to the Whiteshell.

Betty’s pleasures were simple but rich: reading British mystery novels, striking up a conversation with a stranger while riding the bus, shopping at Eaton’s with tea in the Grill Room, searching the classified ads for hidden gems for the home and family, arranging her garden flowers, attending the annual Manitoba Musical Festival, singing along to Gilbert and Sullivan, watching British comedies, walking the quiet streets of Riverview to pick up a few items at Safeway and always stopping at the library on her way home, attending every concert in which her loved ones performed, and updating an outfit with a new scarf or accessory. We can proudly say that our Mum was always a lady, in her dress, her manner and her speech.

Mum and Dad looked forward to their frequent trips to the West Coast to visit Bob and Dorothy, enjoyed weekend camping trips at Bird’s Hill with extended family, and in their senior years they relished numerous trips to Britain staying with relatives and dear friends while researching family history. Old cemeteries, cathedrals, castles and tours brought them lasting memories. Mum’s detailed daily journals make fascinating reading.

Although Mum’s last years were dimmed by Dementia, she maintained her sweet and gentle disposition, responding to our acts of affection and to the music she had always loved.

Family is most grateful to the exemplary staff of West Park Manor who respect and respond to each resident with compassion and grace.

The funeral service and celebration of Betty’s life will be held on Saturday, November 16 at 1:00 p.m. at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Broadway and Osborne (parking available in the Great-West Life lot south of Broadway on Colony). Reception in the Parish Hall with interment to follow in St. John’s Cathedral Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty’s memory to All Saints’ Church “Feel the Heat” campaign – a major fundraising project to replace the church’s aging furnaces.

Mum’s was a quiet and simple life, fully and honestly lived. We cherish her memory and ask God’s guidance as we shape our lives by her example.

“DEATH is not extinguishing the LIGHT: It is putting out the LAMP because the DAWN has come.” - Tagore