ELIZABETH ANN GYLES

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ELIZABETH ANN GYLES

(ARMSTRONG)

June 12, 1928 - October 28, 2025

Loved by her four children, Bill (Darlene), Lauren, Grant (Karen), and Don (Meg); ten grandchildren, Amanda (Jeff), Raphe, Hallie, Petra (Graham), Tiffany (Jai), Liz (Sean), Jay, Geordie (Cynthia), Dylan, and Daly (Nick); and nine great- grandchildren; Betty was the true matriarch of the clan. Predeceased by Harold, her husband of 59 years; her son Rick and daughter Shelley; her parents, Bill and Elizabeth Armstrong; and siblings, Bill, Bob, and Barb. Betty outlived her beloved Queen Elizabeth.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Betty trained as a registered nurse at St. Boniface Hospital. According to Betty, she was a model student, except on those occasions when she wasn’t. Betty met Harold in her late teens and they married in 1951. She loved nursing, but soon after graduation took a hiatus to raise her five perfect children. She also welcomed into the family her twin nephews from Trinidad, Alan and Junior.

As a child, Betty spent summers at her grandparents’ and parents’ cottages at Lake of the Woods. In 1961 she and Harold bought their cottage on Keewatin Beach Road. This was her happy place. Betty spent every summer at Ken-O-Kee Lodge until poor health prevented her from going. There, she and Harold had a close community of life-long friends including the Jones, Pughs, and Hardies. They permanently moved to the cottage after retirement. After her nursing career, Betty started a pie business, supplying Keewatin restaurant My Place with desserts. She was affectionately known around Kenora as “the Pie Lady”.

Betty was always welcoming to the many friends and stragglers that passed through the family home and cottage. She had a great sense of humour and loved to socialize. She was extremely loyal to her husband and her children, despite their many flaws. Betty loved to play games; board games, cards, whatever. She loved to win and was always a good sport.

Betty was an avid hunter, joining Harold and her cousin Diane on many hunting trips. She was a very good curler, skipped a ladies’ team, served as President of the Womens’ Curling League at the Highlander Curling Club, and participated in numerous mixed bonspiels. As a young woman, she skied, sailed, fished, and golfed. She loved swimming and boating on Lake of the Woods. Betty and Harold were active members of the Gyro Club, attending many functions and conventions.

Following her brother Bob’s death, Betty rekindled her friendship with her sister Barb in Ottawa. They Skyped daily and talked about nothing and everything. They were kindred spirits. Barb’s death in 2019 left a void in Betty’s life that was never filled.

Betty was a self-sufficient, independent woman with many talents. She was well-liked by everyone who met her and wasn’t judgemental. She loved her family dearly, always putting them first. She will be sorely missed, but has left us with many, many fond memories.

We would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Salvation Army Golden West Centennial Lodge for their kind and loving care.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 08, 2025