BETH PIPE (SHEPHERD)

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BETH PIPE (SHEPHERD) Passed away peacefully, with Francie at her side, on November 11, 2008, at the St. Boniface Hospital. Her memory is cherished by her daughter, Francie Humby, her son-in-law, Harry Humby, her grandchildren, Celesta and Leo Thiessen, Alyssa and Zig Thiessen, and John and Sarah Humby; her great-grandchildren, Keziah Thiessen and Rachel Thiessen; her brother-in-law, Ed Wilson; her nieces, Carol Harvey and Dianne Wilson; her nephew-in-law, Larry Chand; her great-nephews, Matthew Chand, Rob Harvey and Ken Harvey; and her great-niece, Mary-Jo Harvey. Beth was predeceased by her loving husband, Mel; her parents, J. Arthur and May Shepherd; her brother, Jack Shepherd; her sisters, Mary Gillis and Frankie Wilson; her brothers-in-law, Joe Gillis and Horace Pipe; her sister-in law, Eileen Pipe; her nephew, Jim Wilson; and her nephew-in-law, Wally Harvey. Beth was born in Gilbert Plains, on February 16, 1917. From a very early age, she attended St. Paul's United Church in Gilbert Plains, and ice-skating at the rink several times a week was a favourite activity. Getting her driver's licence on her sixteenth birthday was the beginning of a lifelong enjoyment of cars and of driving. She graduated from Gilbert Plains' first Grade X11 class, which her father, Shep , was instrumental in organizing. At eighteen, Beth enrolled in Normal School (Teachers' College) in Winnipeg. She taught Grades 1-8 at Deer Park School and Grade 4 in Grandview. While taking a summer session course in the Tier Building at the University of Manitoba, Beth drew the attention of Mel Pipe of Manitou. Mel told his friend, Norman, Do you see that girl in the blue sweater? That's the girl I'm going to marry. Mel and Beth were married in Regina, in 1942, during a 48 a two-day pass given periodically to airmen during the Second World War. Beth was stationed, with Mel, first at Portage la Prairie and then at Summerside, PEI. While Mel was overseas, Beth lived in Gilbert Plains. When her father died suddenly, Beth became responsible for running Cameron Department Store. Mel joined her in the business when he returned to Canada in 1945, and, together, they ran the Solo and Allied Store for forty years. Being a people person, Beth found interacting with people at the store every day a constant source of joy. The children made her smile, the youth delighted her with their enthusiasm and exuberance, and the older people imparted to her so much wisdom. Beth's interests included raising, with Mel, their daughter, Francie, born in 1948, reading, knitting, teaching Sunday School (for twenty-one years), and serving, for several years, as treasurer for the United Church and also for the Legion Auxiliary. She organized the first kidney canvass in Gilbert Plains, helped with Meals on Wheels, and was involved with Access T.V, which she thoroughly enjoyed. In 1985, Beth realized a life-long dream when she and Mel and her brother, Jack, drove up to Dawson City in the Yukon. They spent the longest day of the year, June 21st, in the Land of the Midnight Sun! For the past five years, Beth has been living with Francie and Harry in Winnipeg. There, she read the many novels that Harry fetched for her from the library, and she regularly watched 100 Huntley Street, It's a New Day, Sermons from Calvary, and curling bonspiels on television. She knit Izzy dolls for the Ugandan children at Eagles Wings Children's Village and followed the happenings at that orphanage closely (www.eagleswingschildrensvillage.com). She felt greatly honoured that the school there was named Beth Pipe Nursery and Primary School. To keep in touch with her Gilbert Plains and its residents, she read the Exponent, cover to cover, and talked on the phone with friends. Beth loved chatting with her home care workers and she cared about each of them as individuals. Playing crib with Harry every evening and visiting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at Sunday dinners were highlights of her life at 38 Hollyhock. Harry and Francie wish to express their sincerest gratitude to Beth's homecare workers who not only looked after her with skill and kindness but also shared their lives with her. A memorial service for Beth will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 29th, in St. Paul's United Church in Gilbert Plains, with luncheon immediately following. Interment will be at Eldon Cemetery. If friends wish, donations may be made, in Beth's memory, to the Ugandan orphanage founded and directed by Bill and Ann Peckham, Eagles Wings Children's Village, 61 St. Vital Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2M 1Z4.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 22, 2008