ELIZABETH GREEN-ARMYTAGE (MCDONALD)

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ELIZABETH GREEN-ARMYTAGE (nee MCDONALD) January 5, 1921 November 1, 2008 Betty died peacefully at Riverview Health Centre with family at her side after a lengthy illness. She was predeceased by her husband John Whitla Green-Armytage, her sister Marion, and brothers Ian and Hugh McDonald. She is survived by her sister Cynthia Hunter (Andy), her sister-in-law Jan McDonald, and her children: Tanny Wells (Pat Northey) of Toronto, Jock Green-Armytage (Susie) of London, England, and Carol Isaac (Murray) of Calgary. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Douglas Wells (Holly), Kaylie Wells, Hilary Rankin (Steve), Capt Matthew Green-Armytage, Scots Guards, and Anna, Millie and Beth Green-Armytage; seven great-grandchildren: Zachary, Benjamin and Bobby Wells, and Benjamin, Graeme, Eliza and Claire Rankin; and many cherished nieces and nephews. Betty enjoyed fresh air and physical activity all her life and was a talented athlete. She excelled at swimming and was a member of the Manitoba Provincial Swim Team. She also loved horseback riding, skating, golf and curling. In her later years, she was a familiar sight in River Heights, briskly walking the streets with her Labrador retrievers, or clearing the ice from the drains in her back lane. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Betty was among the first students at Tuxedo Park School. She graduated from Rupertsland School and travelled to England to attend Miss Spaulding's Finishing School, later studying at the University of Manitoba. In 1941, she married Johnny, who shared her love of animals and the outdoors. Their life together was one of adventure. Betty did things she'd never dreamed of including living without running water at his fox farm and shooting lodge near the Interlake town of Clarkleigh and becoming a model for his famous Crichton Blue Fox fur coats. When Johnny was shipped overseas, Betty returned to Winnipeg, where she braved the prairie roads several times a week, in all seasons, in a pickup truck full of feed. Her wartime training as a motor mechanic at General Motors proved useful after the war, when she kept many boat engines and pumps going for her family at the lake each summer. Betty was among the group of intrepid women who worked to establish and nurture Winnipeg's vibrant arts community. A tireless advocate for professional theatre, she served on the board of the Winnipeg Children's Theatre, and was a constant support to its successor, the Manitoba Theatre Centre. A music lover, she also served on the board of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and was the president and honorary life member of the Women's Musical Club. During the development phase of the Centennial Concert Hall, Betty travelled across North America, researching the continent's top concert venues. Although she recommended against the inclusion of a restaurant, the politicians of the day wanted one, so she rolled up her sleeves and oversaw the design and construction of what was fondly referred to by her family as Betty's Bar and Grill (now defunct). Betty's home was always open to artists and audiences alike after an evening's performance, for food, fellowship, a bit of drink and, of course, more music. In honour of her years of devoted service to the community, Betty received an honourary life membership in the Salvation Army, as well as a volunteer service award from the City of Winnipeg. She was a long-time supporter of the Progressive Conservative Party, federally and provincially, helping to create the Manitoba PC Women's caucus. She was also an active member of the Winnipeg Winter Club, the St. Charles Country Club, the Goldbrick Club, and the Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club, and was a lifelong parishioner at St. George's Anglican Church, which she also supported through her work on behalf of the St. George's Memorial Fund. One of the great joys of Betty's life was the summers she spent with friends and family at Lake of the Woods. She loved the lake with all her heart and always made sure it was a place where her family could assemble and her grandchildren could get to know their cousins. Betty's family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to her caregivers, Lydia Rabsch, Katie Klassen and the staff at the Riverview Health Centre, as well as to her dear friend, Pat Guy, who brightened Betty's final years with her weekly visits with chat and cookies. A memorial service in honour of Betty's life will be held St. George's Anglican Church, Crescentwood, on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. George's Memorial Fund Inc., 168 Wilton Street, Winnipeg, MB R3M 3C3. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C 0X4 783-7211 Send expressions of sympathy at www.mem.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 09, 2008