ROBERTA RAE WATSON (MORRIS)

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WATSON, Roberta It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Roberta Rae Watson (nee Morris) on February 24, 2022, at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg after living with cancer for a brief time. Roberta's kindness and generosity touched many throughout her life, and there is a long list of people that will remember her every day. Her devoted husband of 41 years, Dale. Lana, James and George; Dane, Jenn and Dade will miss their mom and Granny. Judy and Roger, Kerry and Shahedah, Jill, Kelvin and Annemarie, Daphne and Rick, Tred and Debra, Garry and Louise will treasure all of the happy times spent with their sister. There are nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, extended family and many, many friends that all have happy memories to look back on. Bert was born on December 8, 1953 in Shoal Lake, MB to Elstan and Joan Morris (nee Clarke). She grew up in Strathclair with her three brothers and three sisters in what was always a busy home. She spent many hours at the rink as part of the figure skating club, skating in summer camps in Brandon, and she was one of the first female members of the Air Cadets 317 Squadron. There were family trips to BC and to the old cabin at Lake Winnipeg. Bert lived in Strathclair most of her life and: after a few years away, she and Dale moved back to raise their children. She spent countless hours in various rinks, baseball diamonds and gymnasiums throughout Manitoba, cheering on her children in whatever sport they were involved in. More recently, she was an enthusiastic volunteer at many community suppers and events, and loved being included in the makeup department for the Strathclair Drama Club. Bert and Dale could be seen on their daily walks around town to 'get their steps in'. When it was too cold to go walking, she could be found quilting, a skill she inherited from her mom. Many great nieces and great nephews were lucky recipients of their own handmade blankets. She had many friends in the community that lasted throughout her life. When Bert and Dale weren't in Strathclair, they were usually in one of a few places: Brandon: to go out for supper with Dane, Jenn and Dade; London: to see Lana, James and George and visit the sights. There aren't too many London tourist attractions they haven't been to at least once; Palm Springs: to meet friends and family for some winter sun, golf and happy hour; Cottage at Lake Winnipeg: where family met year round to celebrate Christmas, summer holidays and the annual Morris Masters Golf and Frolic. Roberta built a career in law enforcement working for the RCMP in Portage and Brandon, Brandon City Police and 27 years with Shoal Lake RCMP. She was a valuable member of the Yellowhead detachment and was well-known across the province for her knowledge and expertise, along with her willingness to help anyone. The friendships she made over her years with the RCMP made going to work more than just a job, and this has only been reinforced by the number of calls and messages from her former RCMP colleagues in the last few weeks. One thing was fundamental to Bert - her family. Everything she did was with her extended family in mind. Trips were either with, or to see family, the holidays were all about planning where to meet and what to bring. She would chat to at least one of her brothers or sisters every day and whenever there was something to be done, she was always there with a helping hand. That's what family does. The arrival of Dade and George, her 'two little boys', meant the world to her. Outings to children's museums, trips to the park, playing at the beach and teaching them how to sew will be just a few of their cherished memories. She was just meant to be a Granny. At Bert's request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. If friends so wish, donations in her memory can be made to CancerCare Manitoba, www.cancercare.mb.ca.

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As published in Brandon Sun on Mar 12, 2022