RUTH ELIZABETH (BETTY) MILNE (JOHNSTON)

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RUTH ELIZABETH (BETTY) MILNE
(nee JOHNSTON)

Peacefully, on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at the Grace General Hospital, Betty passed away with family by her side at the age of 82 years.
Betty will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Heather (Robert Di Lazzaro), and her son Brian (Holly Milton); grandchildren, Courtney Di Lazzaro (Tyler Dusanek), Brenna Di Lazzaro (Carson Law), Sarah Milne and Ben Milne; sister Joan Lofto; brother-in-law Frank Wade; sisters-in-law, Verna Cundall and Pat Koroscil and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Betty was predeceased by her husband Stuart; parents, Mel and Jean Johnston; granddaughter Laura Di Lazzaro; sister Teryl Wade; brothers-in-law, Ozzie Cundall, Gene Lofto and Don Koroscil.
Mom was born in Dakota, Manitoba on May 18, 1937. According to my grandma, our mother was quite a free-spirited child who would often take off to play with friends and explore. She was very independent and hardly ever at home. When she was 12, my grandfather got a promotion and a transfer to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. This is where mom discovered libraries and her lifelong love of reading. Upon graduating from high school, mom's family moved back to Winnipeg and she enrolled in nursing school at the Winnipeg General Hospital. She worked at Eaton's department store to earn enough money for tuition and boarding. She graduated in May, 1958. While she was in nursing school, one of mom's very dear nursing friends, Marilyn Wake, introduced mom to our dad. She fell madly in love with him and they were married on June 6, 1959. During the early years of marriage, mom moved up from being a General Duty Nurse to the Head Nurse of the Intensive Care Unit. They built their house in Westwood in 1962, had their daughter Heather in 1965 and their son Brian in 1968. After having her daughter, she decided to stay home to raise her children. During her time as a stay at home mom, she was very involved with various volunteer positions and committees. She also kept one of the cleanest houses in the neighbourhood. It was great having her at home as she was always there to help us solve our problems. One of her greatest skills was teaching us how to be resilient. She was such a patient parent who almost never lost her temper. In around 1981/1982, mom took her nursing refresher course and went back to nursing. She retired around 1996 from Deer Lodge Hospital. Mom and dad loved to go camping, garden and travel. They were lucky enough to travel around the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. Their favourite places were Orlando Florida and Hawaii. When dad died in 2005, mom continued to travel on her own. She also took her children and their families on five different cruises and to Hawaii twice. We have so many happy and funny memories from these trips and the various trips we did as a family growing up.
We wish to thank everyone for your kindness and support in helping us get through this difficult time. We have amazing friends and family! We would also like to give a special thanks to all of mom's health care professionals who went above and beyond during her illness over the past seven months.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 28, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. in Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
If you wish, donations can be made in Mom's honour to a charity of your choice.

For those who wish to sign the online
Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home
204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 22, 2020