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EVA ELIZABETH FORBES
Date of Passing: Oct 05, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryEVA ELIZABETH FORBES Surrounded by her loving family, Betsy Forbes passed away on the evening of October 5, 2014 at home after months of fighting ovarian cancer. She leaves a huge hole in the lives of her beloved husband Bill, children Bridget (Martin Bruyere) and John (Meredith Johnson), and cherished granddaughter Mathilde Bruyere. Adored sister and sister-in-law, she also leaves to mourn dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends across Canada, New Zealand, and around the world. Betsy grew up on a sheep farm in the south island of New Zealand. An intrepid traveller, after training as a nurse, she left New Zealand in 1969 to work her way around the world. She met the love of her life, Bill, on a cruise ship travelling from British Columbia to Australia in 1971. After a month at sea they were inseparable and moved into a cramped apartment in Sydney. They married in New Zealand in 1973 and travelled Asia and Europe until 1975 when they settled in Bill's hometown of Winnipeg. Betsy devoted her life to her kids when they were young, and was heavily involved in all their extra-curricular activities. Whether it was participating in a dance costume sewing circle, coordinating team schedules, or cheering from the sidelines, Betsy's warmth and kindness drew people to her, and helped a new immigrant stay-at-home mom create a network of close friends. A woman of strong convictions and boundless energy, she was involved in her community and grassroots movements, participating in the "Good Neighbour Group", peace marches and the women's movement. She was instrumental in starting the French Immersion program at Riverview School in 1981, and volunteered for years at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Folk Fest was an annual ritual that saw her dance barefoot and do the "tarp run" even at age 70. Betsy resumed her nursing career in 1985 at the Municipal (Riverview) Hospital. She later trained in occupational health and spent the rest of her career caring for people at Motor Coach Industries, Boeing, and as a rehab specialist at the Workers Compensation Board. She was a caring professional who was passionate about helping clients with their health, and was given a service excellence award at WCB for her tireless and tenacious efforts. Betsy lived a healthy, active life until her illness this year. She said she solved all the world's problems in her head as she pounded her way around the track at the Reh-Fit Centre. She was the grandma at the park who went down the slide. When she was hustling to get somewhere, it was hard for her long-legged family to keep up with the 5'4 dynamo. In her retirement her granddaughter, her garden, and travel were her passions. She was a devoted "Gaga" to Mathilde and found reasons to see her nearly daily. Her stunning garden is a tangible reminder of the beauty she brought to the world. Her lifelong love and travelling buddy Bill has countless memories to cherish of worldwide adventures that spanned the globe and four decades. A celebration of Betsy's life will be held at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery), on Friday, October 10 at 2:00 p.m. Many thanks to the nurses and doctors at CancerCare, St. Boniface Hospital and Health Sciences Centre. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 08, 2014
Condolences & Memories (10 entries)
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I am so sorry to hear of Betsy. She will be greatly missed. I worked with her at Motor Coach and she was so much fun to work with. We always teased her about losing her glasses and they often turned up in the funniest places, sometimes on the top of her head. She made me laugh on a daily basis back them. She was passionate about her profession, and she was a person of conviction and strength. I was able to keep in touch with after our MCI days from time to time and she was always a great listener, a good resource and fun to be around. My condolences to her family, Betsy will be missed by many and touched many lives. - Posted by: Heather Horton (Friend ) on: Oct 10, 2014
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We were saddened to hear of Betsy's passing.. Presently, we are in Europe and will miss the memorial service. Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Rod and Regina - Posted by: Rod and Regina Kachulak (Friends) on: Oct 10, 2014
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Brigitte et Martin Mes condéléances les plus sincères. Courage à vous deux et à toute la famille. Jocelyne XO - Posted by: Jocelyne Livamagi (ancienne colleague de travail) on: Oct 09, 2014
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Very sorry to hear of Betsy's passing. The Forbes have been life long friends and Betsy was an integral part of their family who will be missed by everyone. We will miss her and are sorry that we will not be able to make the celebration of her life as we are traveling in PEI. We are sure Betsy would understand. Our deepest sympathies. John and Dana Littlewood - Posted by: John and Dana Littlewood (Family friends) on: Oct 09, 2014
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I worked with her for many years. She was the best RS and the most caring individual I ever met. She went to great lengths to advocate for workers in need. I admired her a great deal and I'm honored to say I worked with her. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. - Posted by: Garth Barnett (co-worker @ WCB) on: Oct 09, 2014
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Jude and I were very sad to hear of Betsy's passing Bill. Way back in the early days of Balfour...we sure had a lot of fun as the kids began to grow. Please know we are thinking of you and your family at this sad time Bill. - Posted by: Don Comack (Friend) on: Oct 09, 2014
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I was saddened to hear of Betsy's passing. She was a lovely lady and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Remember all the good times you had together as a family. - Posted by: Carol Stankey () on: Oct 08, 2014
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So sorry to hear about Betsy. It's never easy. My prayers are with you and your family. - Posted by: Carroll Maxwell and Rob Gough (friend) on: Oct 08, 2014
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Betsy was a pleasure to know, with a sharp wit and great sense of humour. Since 1971, Bill has been a very lucky man and we, in Winnipeg, have been most fortunate to have had her amongst us. - Posted by: Larry Cherrett (friend) on: Oct 08, 2014
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I worked with Betsy at the Princess Elizabeth Municipal Hospital and then again at the WCB. We always had lots of laughs and fun with Betsy during lunch and coffee breaks. It was a pleasure working with Betsy, as she had a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Always willing to help out and provide her recommendations. Betsy always spoke lovingly of her family and so excited when her children got married and her granddaughter was a highlight for her. Betsy, you will be missed! - Posted by: Pam Hutcheson (co-worker/coffee & lunch buddy) on: Oct 08, 2014
