PILOT OFFICER IRENE ELIZABETH HYLAND

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PILOT OFFICER IRENE ELIZABETH (BETTY) HYLAND (nee DEVERSON) Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth... Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. Excerpt from High Flight. John Gillespie Magee, Jr. On Tuesday, July 21, 2015, Betty passed away at the age of 85. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Mary Krieger (Kelvin), Anne Carey, William Hyland (Scelena), and Alan Hyland; her grandchildren, Amanda, Adam (Jennifer), Jessica, Heather, Liam, Owen, Tristan, and Xander; her great-grandchildren, Emily and Teagan; and other extended family, especially Sharla Hyland and Stephanie Darke. She was predeceased by her husband, Alexander, her cousin Tony Darke and his wife Dorothy. Betty was born in London, England where she helped her family run a successful newsagent and tobacconist. Dealing with the many people that came into the shop from all over the world kindled a lifelong interest in languages. She was also a flying enthusiast, becoming a Pilot Officer in the R.A.F. Betty enjoyed cycling all over London and the surrounding countryside. She married Xande "because he was the only boy who could keep up with me on a bike." Xande and Betty began their life in Canada as newlyweds. Betty worked at various office jobs until her retirement from the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI). She then returned to her newspaper roots, taking up a paper route to keep herself active. Betty was an active volunteer, supporting her children's interests (Girl Guides, Pop Warner) and her own (St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Manitoba Crafts Guild, Western Canada Aviation Museum, Manitoba Herb Society, the Manitoba Lily Society, the Iris Association, and many others). At the 1967 Pan Am Games, she worked as a translator and a tennis official. Betty was an avid reader. She corresponded with authors and encouraged their efforts, at first by letter and later via email and Facebook. We were all kept in hand-knitted sweaters and socks on a steady basis. She baked her own bread and her chocolate cake was the best ever. Her cats were her constant companions and her garden brought her joy. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her friends and acquaintances will long remember her cheerful spirit and practical nature. On Betty's most recent visit to England, she had the chance to fly in a Chipmunk and did barrel rolls and loop-de-loops to her heart's delight. When she came down she was grinning from ear to ear. In memory of Betty's philosophy of life; follow your dreams no matter what people say; do something you love till you are good at it; read every day, plant something, and hug someone. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 7, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in St. Andrew's Anglican Church - Woodhaven, 2700 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, a reception will follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to any of the organizations she enjoyed in life.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 04, 2015