ELIZABETH (BETTY) PATTESON

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ELIZABETH (BETTY) PATTESON With her family by her side, God beckoned and on June 1 a wonderful woman answered the call. Betty is survived by her daughter Dina, son Larry (Marilee), sister Phyllis and grandchildren Jeffrey (Sarah) and Sara (Vince). Betty was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, Gilbert Horace along with her brothers Earl, Horace, and Reg, sister Pearl, son-in-law Lothar "Lou", brothers-in-law Walter and Larry, sisters-in-law Gwen and Joey, nephew Ken Spicer Sr. and friend Max. Betty was born in Winnipeg and resided in St. James and Charleswood for many years. She attended St. Ann's School and Parish and Our Lady of Perpetual Help R.C. Church. Betty was an avid athlete, qualifying in 3 track and field events for the Canadian Olympic team prior to the Second World War. It was while training that she met Gil, a fellow competitive athlete. Betty was a devoted mother and a faithful member of the church. She joined St. Charles Parish where she was an integral part of the church community for over 40 years. She typically balanced three jobs at a time along with her many church and municipal activities. Betty, Gil and their daughter settled in Headingley circa 1974 which allowed the family to enjoy their love of nature and the local habitat in addition to golfing, travelling, bowling and dining out. For many years they kept horses on their farm. During her 80's, Betty obtained permission from her doctor to go bungee jumping. At the ripe young age of 82 years, Betty broke her first thoroughbred horse to saddle all by herself. Betty and Dina could be found attending the local horse circuit. They also enjoyed fairs, rodeos and events in Canada and the U.S. Along the way, they made many lifetime friends. In summer 2014, Betty sojourned to Winnipeg Beach for the closing chapter of her life. Once again she actively participated in the neighbourhood Parish, Our Lady of the Lake, helping set up the altar and greeting everyone with a hug as they entered the church. Anyone who met Betty fell in love with her. Betty volunteered with the Gimli District Health Auxiliary, delivering Christmas flowers and chocolates to the people in the Health Centre. Each patient was treated to her famous smile, wry wit and kind words. Betty liked to tell people how in the days when money was scarce for them, she would brush her teeth with sand. She always sported a full set of "pearly whites" and could utter a shrill whistle with her fingers between her teeth to cheer on the "home team". Although she would not brag about it, Betty liked music, composed her own family ditty to sing and played ukulele, mouth organ and mouth harp. The family would like to thank Ken, Alba, Heidi, Dan, James, Pat and Jim, her "second son" of whom she stated, "I would trust him with my life." We would also like to thank Father Mike Nwosu along with Deacon Phillip and Joan Durant for their friendship and spiritual support as well as Dr. Rhoma and the staff of Gimli Health Centre for their exceptional care and kindness during Betty's stay. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Roman Catholic Church, 320 St. Charles Street. Fellowship reception and interment to follow. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church, 2 Church Bay Lane, Winnipeg Beach. In lieu of flowers donations in Betty's memory may be made to St. Charles Roman Catholic Church, Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church, or the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. CHAPEL LAWN www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 06, 2015