BETTY MOWAT (RITCHIE)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

BETTY MOWAT (nee RITCHIE) October 8, 1932 - April 5, 2018 With profound grief and sadness, we said goodbye to our mother, grandmother and best friend. Peacefully, surrounded by her family, Mom passed away at home. To all who knew her, she was "Nana". Mom was predeceased by her parents, Dorothy and John; her brothers, Holden, George, Walter and Royden. She is survived by her daughters, Valerie and Shelley; her grandchildren, Tammy (RJ), Trevor (Chelsa), Troy (Crystal), Dirk (Richelle); and her great-grandchildren, Joshua, Haley, Kai, Kennedy and Knox. Mom was born in Leeds, England and came to Roblin, MB as a baby. Mom grew into one of the most astonishing women one could ever have and hold in their lives. Her lifelong dream had been for a career in music. Mom had an exceptional voice and excelled at the Royal Canadian Music Competitions in Roblin during her youth. She also played the piano and loved to dance. In 1944, Mom graduated at the top of her class, from the Selkirk Psychiatric Nursing program. In March of the same year, she married Dad, Earnest Alexander "Rosser" Mowat. They spent their early marriage in Gaspe, stationed at the Navy base. After the Second World War, they returned to Selkirk. In the 1950s and 1960s Mom spent endless hours as a seamstress for the Selkirk Ballet, tap dancing clubs and the figure skating club. She sewed costumes, not just for Valerie and Shelley, but for all who participated. Mom sewed and knit for her family and friends throughout her entire life. Mom also made Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls that went all over Canada and some parts of Europe. Mom was a prolific baker, especially at Christmas. She did so until the Christmas of 2016. Mom loved the Winnipeg Jets, gardening, bird watching and nature in general. Mom was also a great reader throughout her entire life and as a result, if you wanted to know anything about anything, you could just ask "Nana" and she usually had the answer. Mom sold Avon for over 60 years and was one of Avon's longest representatives. She received countless awards throughout her dedicated service to the company. Most importantly, Mom loved her grandchildren intensely and was very close to each of them. She was a second Mom to all of them. Mom was Betty to her family and countless personal friends, Nana to her adopted grandchildren, and anyone who came in contact with her in Selkirk and throughout her travels. She never turned anyone away who needed a place to stay or a meal. Mom is and will always be greatly missed by her family and all those whose lives she touched. Mom/Nana will forever live on in our hearts. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Roblin Senior Drop-In Centre, 124 2nd Ave. NW, Roblin, MB on Sunday, October 7, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. to 5 p.m.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 29, 2018