BETTY ISABEL MITCHELL (JOHNSON)

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BETTY ISABEL MITCHELL (nee JOHNSON) In the early morning of July 7, 2014, Betty Isabel Mitchell passed away peacefully at Meadowood Manor Personal Care Home, at the age of 93 years. Betty is survived by Murray and Donald, her sons, including her granddaughter Candice, and Conner Mitchell Manko, her great-grandson, as well as Elizabeth and Ruth, her nieces. Betty was predeceased by George Mitchell, her married life partner, in 1981, and her beloved sister Nancy of West Vancouver. Betty was born in Kenora, Ontario in 1920, and will be remembered for her unfailing devotion as mother to her sons, and a dedicated wife to her husband George, supporting the family fully in raising and rearing, often in difficult financial times dictated by the age. Betty's formative years were spent being raised as a "North-End girl", and attended St. John's High School, before an attempt for a few years at college life with United College, now the University of Winnipeg. She met and married George Henry Mitchell, two years her junior after the end of the Second World War, where George served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a mid upper gunner on Halifax aircraft after completion of his required missions. Betty continued to be a dedicated home maker, Regents Park United Church member, and long-time St. Vital resident. She had the resourcefulness to have strong social affiliations in serving as a board member for the Big Sisters, a long career as an original Avon Lady for Avon of Canada, and was employed part time with the Hudson's Bay Company and Birk's Jewelers. It was in her part time employment in the fine china and fine arts domain that Betty's style shone. With refined, understated elegance, Betty served clients in a dignified manner, and brought that style to her family, evidenced by well attended dinner parties hosted at the family home with the multitude of family friends; George's business/sales associates with Air Canada, and the Winnipeg Blue Bomber executive and media establishment, where George served as official travel representative for the Blue Bombers. Betty loved attending Bomber games and was a long time, knowledgeable football fan and season ticket holder. She attended all Grey Cups in the hey days of Blue Bombers championship fame in the 1950s and early 1960s. Additionally, she was a dedicated hockey mom to Murray and Donald's minor hockey and golf careers in providing encouragement and instilling the values of sportsmanship in her sons. She loved "lake life", and spent considerable time on Coney Island near Kenora, often with her dear friend Swea Maine, and a multitude of friends and relatives alike. Betty was an avid gardener, traveler, and family pet lover. She would accompany George and the travel agent community to familiarity trips to destinations such as Hong Kong, Sydney, Australia, and London, England. She augmented this with quality time spent with her sister, Nancy Lions, and would value time spent with her in West Vancouver. The family wishes to thank the medical staff at Meadowood Manor for their many years of compassionate care. Obviously, all our lives have been enriched and profoundly touched by the depth and breadth of her character, grace and love. Mom we will miss you. Thank you very much. We will always love you. Interment to be held at Elmwood Cemetery on August 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Funeral Arrangements in Care of Wheeler Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematorium 1800 Day Street 204-224-1525

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 26, 2014