Bettyann McINNES

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McINNES: Bettyann McInnes (nee Turner) died suddenly on August 30, 2011. Betty was born on March 27, 1935 and grew up in the Whirlpool and Onanole districts. At a young age Betty ventured out to work as a nanny in Winnipeg and California. This began her lifelong passion for children and travel. Following her heart Betty returned to western Manitoba where she could be closer to the love of her life while working as a cashier at Safeway in Brandon. In 1955 Betty married Leslie McInnes and they farmed on the McInnes home farm until 1960, when Les obtained employment with Beaver Lumber, living in Carman, Manitou, Waskada and Teulon. In 1963 Les and Betty, along with their four children, Laurie, Cameron, Shelley and Susan, returned to Erickson where they established their own grocery and meat market business. For over 12 years they worked side by side every day strengthening the bond that already existed. With the sale of their business in 1976 Betty ventured out into the tourism industry in the Clear Lake area, first as a waitress and then soon thereafter as the resident manager of Elkhorn Ranch, restaurant manager of Wasagaming Golf Course and finally as Executive Housekeeper of Elkhorn Resort and Conference Centre. Betty and Les enjoyed time for leisure and travel. Their travels took them to places as close as their family cabin at Ditch Lake, camping throughout Manitoba, a seasonal spot at Minnedosa Beach; to as distant adventures as Venezuela, Costa Rica, Hawaii and Mexico. While not an athlete herself, Betty devoted endless hours to the support of her children and the community. For years Betty was on the Figure Skating Committee in Erickson, the Erickson Minor Hockey Committee, served on the original building committee of the new Erickson Skating rink and, for a time served as a Board member for the Manitoba Minor Hockey Association. This passion for sport led to Betty becoming quite an armchair athlete and right up to her passing she never missed a televised Blue Jays game. Betty was a talented seamstress and loved doing handicrafts. This talent led to years of service as a 4-H leader in Erickson. Betty’s creativity was frequently called upon for carnival and snow festival costumes and even leadership in the creation of endless community floats. Betty is survived by her three children, daughter, Laurie Jackson, son, Cameron McInnes and his wife, Arden, and daughter, Shelley Serle, and her husband, Kevin; five grandchildren, Sheena Jackson, Kelsea and Torea McInnes and Brett and Dylan Serle; two brothers, Gordon Turner and Bob Turner (Cynthia), as well as, two sisters in law, Gwen Steiman (Gary) and Alice McInnes and numerous nieces and nephews. Betty was predeceased by her parents, William and Rose Turner; her daughter, Susan; her son-in-law, Wayne Jackson and, most recently in April of this year, by her husband, the love of her life, Les. The family would like to thank Dr. Roche of Minnedosa for his years of care shown to Betty and to the Minnedosa Hospital staff for the respectful compassion shown in her final hours. A private service was held on Friday, September 9th at the Minnedosa Beach Pavilion with burial in the Erickson Cemetery. Long time family friend, Elgin Hall, officiated at both. Memorial gifts in Betty’s memory can be made to the Erickson Recreation Centre, Erickson, MB, R0J 0P0.

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 10, 2011