ELIZABETH (LIZ) ANN BATT

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Elizabeth (Liz) Ann Batt quietly passed away on January 17, 2023 after a short battle with brain cancer. Liz was born on October 30, 1945 in Brandon, and grew up there in a very happy family with her parents, Edmund (Eddie) and Inabelle (Ina) Lacquement and siblings. The family was very proud of Eddie’s service in the Second World War where he was wounded just after the Normandy Landing in June 1944. The Second World War had a great influence on Liz’s family, and the whole community in which she grew up. Eddie and Ina started their family of Baby Boomers immediately after he returned from overseas.
Liz is survived by her loving husband, Bruce; daughter Carolynn Batt with grandsons, Hunter and Logan Ramage; daughter Alison Batt with grandchildren, Lacey and Wyatt Lassiter; sister Doreen (Butch) Bruce; sister-in-law Marion (Red) Lacquement; Bruce’s sisters, Faith (Dale) Doyle, Louise (Len) Westwood and Debra (Gary) Noto and 11 nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Eddie and Ina Lacquement; her brother, Red; niece Kimberly Lacquement; brother-in-law Dale Doyle; and Bruce’s parents, Faith and Bill Batt.
She will be dearly missed by so many wonderful friends and relatives in the US, Canada and England, where Bruce was born. The principles of manners, honesty, grooming and frugality were disciplines that she diligently practiced and quietly but consistently urged adherence to by her husband and daughters. Liz was a power shopper, always seeking quality products at the best price. All will remember her for her exceptional skills in the kitchen where she served many excellent creations and was always seeking to try something new. She was especially well-known for her wild game dishes. With zero game-cooking experience when first married she was soon faced with game birds and venison coming home with Bruce from marshes, prairies and woodlands. After a shaky start her culinary determination was greatly rewarded throughout their fifty-five year marriage.
After high school in Brandon she moved quickly to a career as a secretary with the Manitoba government until she married in 1967. She and Bruce moved twice from Canada as he pursued graduate degrees at the University of Florida and Michigan State. They returned to Canada as Bruce took a position with the Delta Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Station on the famous Delta Marsh and Lake Manitoba. Her daughters cherish memories of summers spent swimming in Lake Manitoba while Liz and other moms watched from the shore. At each new address she was quickly hired in secretarial positions usually as an executive secretary. The family moved to Memphis in 1992 after Bruce was recruited by Ducks Unlimited.
As a homemaker, she self-trained and became quite a skilled seamstress making many outfits for herself and her daughters. During the last few decades she excelled as a home travel planner. After Bruce’s retirement one could expect to find Liz and Bruce on trips in April, usually in Europe. Her favourite country was Italy where she relished experiencing many legendary food traditions, but she also found excellent food to enjoy in England, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Panama, Portugal, France, Spain, Croatia and countries along the Danube River. Trips to Europe also traced events that occurred during the Second World War. One special highlight was in Normandy where she walked the length of Juno Beach so she could cross the path followed by her dad in 1944. Another distinct experience was a two week bird-watching tour of Kenya. She was not a bird watcher but she was not going to be left behind on that adventure! There were family trips during her childhood to Nova Scotia, where her mother was born, and they were later repeated with her daughters. Other trips in that region included Newfoundland, Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. Unfortunately, her bucket list still included Greece and Chile, victims of that darn COVID.
For the last 30 years, Liz and Bruce have resided again in Canada in the summer on Lake-of-the-Woods in northwest Ontario. About 15 years ago they bought their own cottage and have since enjoyed five months there each summer. The first renovation included a custom-made kitchen that she designed. At the lake Liz maintained a garden of potted plants that produced beautiful flowers, several herbs to enhance culinary delights and an abundance of tomatoes. She had never fished before but was coaxed into trying it at the lake - and she got hooked. During the last few years she quietly caught most of the fish and all the big ones at each outing. Then, of course, she created many outstanding walleye meals. She also hosted several game dinners at the cottage on Halloween eve, her birthday.
Her ashes will be spread with those of their Labrador retriever, Belle, in her favourite fishing spots near the cottage. A celebration of life in Brandon next summer is being planned.
The family requests that any memorials be sent to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 28, 2023