ELIZABETH RADFORD (BETTY, ROSS)

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RADFORD: Our family are saddened to announce the passing of our Mom, three days following her 100th birthday! Elizabeth "Betty" Margaret Radford (nee Ross) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on March 29, 1922 into the Ross clan, including six sisters and two brothers. On Mom's 18th birthday, she was attending a dancehall in Edinburgh when she met Bruce Radford, a Canadian soldier from Keyes, Manitoba. With army boots on, Betty was not impressed with the dancing ability of her future husband; however, she was swept off her feet with his warm and fun personality. From dating, when it was possible, love blossomed and they were married on January 24, 1942. Mom continued living with her family while Dad trained in various locations in England and Scotland. In April of 1943, they became parents to their first daughter, Gail. After Dad was severely injured in France in 1944, Mom and Gail sailed to Canada on March 29, 1945, with Dad following after recovering in England. After a 13-day journey across the Atlantic, they arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax, were registered and immediately sent on a train to Manitoba. On Dad's return they purchased a small farm and settled into rural living. After living in a large city with electricity, running water, and indoor facilities, Mom had to adjust to a wood stove, coal lamps and an outhouse in the back 40! Later that year, our brother, Eric was born and Mom learned to cook, bake and garden, and became very adept at all. In 1947, their family was complete with the birth of their 2nd daughter, Norma. In 1954, Dad began working with the Highways Department, and this began a new phase in Mom's life. Our family moved where the new roads were being built and included Gladstone, Kelwood, Onanole, Neepawa, Brandon and finally Minnedosa. Each town that they moved to saw Mom involved with community activities including volunteering her help where needed. She was a life member of the Minnedosa Legion Ladies Auxiliary, belonged to various United Churches and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Brandon. She loved to dance, sing in choirs, Scottish music, shop, garden, bake and was an avid reader until macular degeneration took her eyesight. Card games, including Bridge, Canasta, Cribbage and Whist were favourites throughout her life. Shortbread cookies, ginger snaps and growing beautiful begonias were some of the things she was noted for. Shopping and fashion were important to her, and the new seasons always saw her with at least a few new outfits. The first one would come out quite soon after purchasing; the second later and when Dad asked if it was new, she would reply "Oh no, I've had it for a while!" With considerable height, Mom did some modelling while living in both Neepawa and Brandon. Mom was fortunate to be able to travel back to Scotland numerous times, the last being when she turned 90. Her and Dad also enjoyed some memorable trips to Australia/New Zealand, Spain, Hawaii, Mexico, several areas in the United States and across Canada. Travelling to Pier 21 in Halifax with her daughter, Norma, on the War Bride Train was a special trip for our Mom. Hundreds of War Brides were able to reconnect and share the many memories they had experienced. Relationships were made in each community that our parents lived, and many became life-long friends to our family. After Dad moved to Fairview Home, Mom learned to drive at age 80 years and managed quite well on her own. She spent the bulk of her later years in Lions Manor, where she loved the camaraderie, card games, choir, kitchen band and socializing with many old and new friends. After 10 years in the Manor, a move to Victoria Landing was short-lived as Mom took a serious fall that she was unable to recover from. Following a busy, very active, independent life, Mom needed full care and was confined to a wheelchair and moved into Fairview Home. The last five years were difficult ones for Mom, but she persevered and made 100 last week. Betty will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Gail Radford-Ross, Norma (Bill) Edwards; sister Joyce in Australia; granddaughters Cathie (Bill), Lisa, Cindy (Kevin), Kristal (Daryn), Sherri (Jeff), Jennifer (Slav), and only grandson Todd (Brenda); great-granddaughters Lacey (Cam), Kasmir, Brittany (Graham), Halle (Rem), Grabriela, Kyra and great grandsons Mikhail (Dayle), Dylan (Cass), Brendan (Katie) and Liam; great- great-granddaughter and great-great-grandson, twins Chloe and Caden; and siblings-in-law Keith and Barrie (Norma) Radford, Maxine Radford and numerous nieces and nephews in Canada, Scotland, England and Australia. Betty was predeceased by her parents Andrew and Emma Ross; husband Bruce; son Eric; great-granddaughter Eryn; brothers Andrew and Walter, sisters Mamie, Vi, Isa and Eileen of Scotland and England; brothers-in-law Bob (Margaret), Ken (Eleanor), Ronald, Lawrence, sisters-in-law Sheila (Bill) Norris, Muriel McKenzie, Iris (Jack) Henley. The Celebration of Betty's Life will take place at a later date. Donations in memory of Betty may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, Unit 4B, 257 – 9th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 1K2 or the charity of one's choice.

Expressions of sympathy
may be made at
www.memorieschapel.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 09, 2022