ELIZABETH (BETH) MARGARET WALL

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ELIZABETH (BETH) MARGARET WALL

(nee HUNTER)

February 20, 1935 - March 31, 2024

After a short illness, Elizabeth “Beth” Margaret Wall (nee Hunter) passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Brandon Regional Health Centre.

Beth was born February 20, 1935, to David and Isabela Hunter in St. James Manitoba. Beth attended St. James Elementary School and St. James Collegiate in Winnipeg, Manitoba. From an early age, Beth developed a fondness for both knowledge and learning. Beth not only excelled in school but carried this gift and love of learning throughout her life.

Anyone who knew Beth knew of her fondness for facts, dates, and being able to chat about news from both past and present events. As a child, she was involved in girl guides. This eventually led to her becoming a girl guide leader. She was a huge supporter of guiding throughout her life. It was also in childhood, that Beth developed a deep love of dogs. She would fondly talk about her childhood dog Rex, and later on, family dogs Chief and Major. Beth’s first job was at the Winnipeg Power Commission. She was very fond of her time at the WPC and has told many stories of working there throughout her life.

Growing up, Beth was an active member of the St. James Presbyterian Church. It was through the church, where she met the love of her life Jim at a young people’s church conference. Beth and Jim were married on June 8, 1957, and resided in Brandon. Shortly after her move to Brandon, Beth became a member of First Presbyterian church where she sang in the choir for over 50 years and was a member of the Heather Club. Both her passion for singing and her love of Heather Club carried into her adult years, where you could find her preparing for church teas, singing in Christmas cantatas, playing in the handbell choir, and assuming various executive roles in the Heather Club well into her 80 years.

Besides being involved with the church, aviation played a huge part in her life. When Beth first met Jim, she had no idea that Jim’s career of aviation would have such a profound impact on her. In their early days together, Beth and Jim, were involved in the International Flying Farmer’s organization and attended many conventions together. She loved to attend local flying activities and fondly talked of many Flying Club banquets and fly inns that she attended with Jim by her side. Some of Beth’s most memorable stories come from these conventions, such as winning Flying Farmer Queen in 1966. Beth ran the office at Maple Leaf Aviation. She was extremely fond of the many customers, clients and world travelers that came through the company doors. She and Jim eventually bought the company in 1971. Their dedication and loyalty to their customers led to a highly successful business which celebrated 78 years this past November. Beth’s pride in the legacy that she and Jim built in Maple Leaf Aviation was evident any time she talked about the family business; now owned by son David and grandson Grant.

Later in life, Beth developed a passion for genealogy. While Jim loved to be the family genealogist, Beth used her gift of writing to pen columns on family history; first for the Wheat City Journal and later for the Brandon Sun. She wrote over 400 articles, spanning 10 years. She developed a large fan base during the time her articles were printed. Beth loved connecting with historians, genealogists, and loyal readers through this passion project.

Beth was also an avid Scot, with her family heritage originating from Scotland. Throughout her life, she proudly reminisced of her trip overseas in 1956 where she formed connections with many cousins. She was able to revisit Scotland again in 1999 with husband Jim. In her later years, she could be found proudly attending Robbie Burns celebrations, usually donning the Hunter tartan.

The biggest achievement of Beth’s life was her son David who was born in 1959. Beth was extremely proud of her son David, especially when he followed in the family footsteps, becoming a pilot at 17. Beth was also thrilled to have Karen become her daughter-in-law in 1983. She was very proud of her grandchildren Brittany and Grant for taking an interest in the family business, and earning their pilot’s licences.

2020 brought on a whole new role for Beth; the role of great-grandma or “GG” as her family lovingly referred to her as. The role of GG brought out the most joyful side in Beth. Beth relished in her time with great-granddaughters Halle and Fiona, and would humbly boast about “her girls,” any chance she got.

Beth was predeceased by her parents, David and Isabela, and husband Jim of 54 years.

She is survived by her son David, daughter-in-law Karen, grandson Grant (Veronica Strain), granddaughter Brittany (Steven), great-granddaughters Halle and Fiona, and “grandog” Arthur.

A Memorial Service for Beth was held on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Memories Chapel, Brandon, Manitoba.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Beth’s name to a charity of choice.

See you soon GG!

Condolences: www.memorieschapel.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 13, 2024, Apr 13, 2024