Elizabeth OLIVE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

OLIVE: Elizabeth Irene (Betty) passed away peacefully with her daughter Teresa and son Murray by her side in the Assiniboine Centre in Brandon on June 17, 2009, in her 81st year. Betty will always be lovingly remembered and missed by Jim, her husband of 60 years, daughter Terry (Darrel), son Murray (Trudy), grandchildren Chris Wood (Karren), Heather Wind (Fred), Melanie MacPherson (Spencer), Steven Olive and friend Cheryl, great-grandchildren Mac, Kalyssa, Cadence and Rylee. Betty was born on October 27, 1928 in Griswold, Manitoba to Tom and Jessie Skinner, the oldest of their three children. Mom was schooled in Griswold, took Grade 12 at Brandon College, and graduated from Normal College in Winnipeg in 1947. She started her teaching career, which was to span over 40 years, at a country school in Springvale District west of Virden. She went on to teach Special Education at Oakview School in Oak Lake and Virden Collegiate and grades 7 and 8 at Oak Lake Junior High. During these busy years of dedication to the education of all of her students, Betty was also extremely active in her two childrens’ activities - sports and 4-H, being head leader of the very large club at the time. Betty always had a large vegetable garden and orchard on their farm and after moving to Oak Lake, her garden and flower beds were stunning and a great source of pride to her. During her teaching career and while raising the kids, Betty continued her own education, taking university courses one or two at a time, summer school courses and was so pleased and proud to earn her Bachelor of Teaching degree from Brandon University in 1971. Over the years Betty’s interests including gardening, curling, fishing, skidooing, golfing, bottle digging, crafts and quilting. She was a founding board member, long time editor and gestetner operator of the Oak Lake Town & Country News, and one of the three authors and researchers of the Oak Lake history book, “Ox -Trails to Blacktop”. Mom was also very pleased to be a Life Member of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Agricultural Society, having been a Horticultural Director on Fair Day for over 25 years. Mom was so passionate about so many things, no challenge was too great and she was always eager to give something a try. But through it all, through everything that she gave to her community, she was always there for her family. “Getting together” was really all that mattered - time with the family. She was excited as our family grew and she welcomed with an open heart each new member. Her love and joy and acceptance was deeply felt and will always be treasured. Betty was predeceased by her parents, her brother Edward Skinner and sister Marjorie Griffith. A service to celebrate Betty’s life was held on Tuesday June 23, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Oak Lake United Church with Rev. Harvey Hurren officiating. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Betty may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Oak Lake Garden Park. E-mail messages of condolence or sign the online Book of Condolences atcarscaddenfuneralchapel.comG. R. Carscadden Funeral Chapel, Virden, in care of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 24, 2009