ELIZABETH HARDING FRASER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ELIZABETH HARDING FRASER (nee BLACK)

Dearest and most precious "Bettie" Tragically on April 24, 2017, at 3:45 p.m., Elizabeth Harding Black (Bettie) passed away in Bermuda. Following her untimely passing, Bettie leaves to mourn her devoted, loving husband Bob, her youngest son Jamie, Jamie's wife Pam and three immensely treasured grandchildren - Braeden, Aela and Liam. She also leaves behind her brother-in-law Jim Fraser and his partner Michael Baldonado. Bettie was predeceased by her first born son Tim who passed away in 2007. She was also predeceased by her parents George and June Black, as well as her parents-in-law James and Norma Fraser. Bettie suffered a tragic, early morning fall on Saturday, April 22, only a day after arriving in Bermuda to spend time with her son Jamie, his wife Pam and their three children. Bettie was surrounded by her loving husband Bob, and her cherished son Jamie at the time of her passing. Bettie dedicated her life to her cherished husband Bob and her two adored sons, Tim and Jamie. Bettie enjoyed 51 years of being in love and 48 years of marriage to the love of her life Bob, her soulmate. Bettie always told Bob the moment she had met him she knew they would marry. The entire 51 years were glorious being forever in love. Bettie permanently carried the following verse in her wallet that read:

"I love you because of all the things you are

and because of all that I am

when I'm with you...

 'I Love You' I love you because you have

shown me in hundreds

of beautiful ways what love means"

Bettie was the Fraser Family "Rock". Bettie's life was certainly cut too short! The death of her dearest son Tim left Bettie and Bob totally devastated, but the strength of their love drew them even closer together. Their hearts were forever broken. A child should never die before a parent dies! Bettie was born in Winnipeg and grew up in Windsor Park and mainly in St. James. Bettie graduated from Grace General Hospital School of Nursing as a very proud Registered Nurse (RN) in 1969. Bettie's nursing career was compassionately practiced in Emergency, ICU, OR, RR, PAC and in Endoscopy for 36 years at The Salvation Army Grace General Hospital in Winnipeg. Very proudly, she was selected to run the PAC at the Grace when the service was initially provided. Bettie was blessed and extremely excited to finally meet, hold, cuddle and love her newest grandson, five month old Liam, for a single day - her final day on earth. Bettie shared a very special day with grandson Braeden and granddaughter Aela playing and having great joy and fun, finally laying with each of them separately as they went to sleep that final evening following a fantastic day with Jamie, Pam and all three precious grandchildren. How Bettie loved each one of them so very much! Bettie's father George was born in Dublin and Bettie was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and citizenship. Bettie's beautiful emerald green eyes were lovely to behold and they radiated such warmth, happiness and love. "When Irish eyes are smiling..." Bettie's eyes definitely did! She exercised her whole life always being physically fit. Bettie was a vibrant, gorgeous, thoughtful, loving and compassionately caring woman who always placed everyone else's well being before that of her own. Bettie loved all animals and most especially her adored precious Yorkie named Teighan. Teighan misses her "Mommy"! Trixie, Hansy, Princess, Tim's dog Moppy were only a few of Bettie's treasured pets. Bettie was a very talented self-taught cook who always carefully planned and prepared with her loving touch the most delicious, amazing meals and deserts. She was praised and thanked for each and every meal by her husband Bob! Her meals were always enjoyed by so many family and friends. Of particular delight were Bettie's chocolate chip cookies which were always very quickly devoured by anybody that had one or more. Family holidays were always spent together enjoying years of camping, especially at Rushing River. Family trips with their sons to California and Banff were highlights. Winter trips to our property in the Royal Sands on Mayan Riviera in Mexico over six years was always such great times together. Bettie and her husband both retired on the same day in January 2006. Over 45 countries were visited over many years of travel and they were blessed to enjoy nine ocean cruises, seven long stay winter snowbird getaways to Palm Desert and Victoria, a summer trip to Europe with lengthy stays in both Scotland and Ireland, a winter spent in New Zealand and another winter in Hawaii, as well as three trips to New York City. Ireland was the highlight for dear Bettie. Fall trips to Banff were always delightful, but the many trips to Bermuda to visit her son were the ultimate. Scooter rides, Bailey's ice cream, Swizzle Inn, rum swizzles and the greatest was being blessed to share fun, happy times with Jamie, Pam, Braeden, Aela and Liam. Bettie's dear puppy Teighan always loved her trips to Bermuda to play with her pal Bella, Jamie and Pam's cat. Bettie was truly blessed to have so many close, trusted and true friends including Sophie Katarynych, Barb and Stella Pedersen, Shirley Craig, Jennette McCalla, Dr. Lynn Stevens, Joan and Bryce Toms, Dave LaCroix, Todd and Leanne Thompson, Dr. Dave and Lynn Page, Gary Krapfl and Stephen Casterton, Tinker and Sharon Helseth. Special paternal cousins especially Bill and Barb Dexter, Donna and Hans Vavrik, and maternal cousins Vanda and Doug Wilson were most treasured. Bettie was surrounded by great neighbours and friends including Helen and Henry Peters, Val Touchette, Ray and Donna Johns. Many other special friends including Jack Robertson, Randy and Laurice Flynn, Sylvia McIsaac, Tommy and Lorraine Pigott, Ed Kearon, Rob Pike, Shirley Dufresne, Jay McIsaac, Mollie Attridge, Ruth and Merv Saxberg, Dorothy Ross and Dr. Mark and Maureen Siegel. Bettie had two estranged, younger sisters, Patricia (Raymond) Hopke and Maureen (Benito) Spadano. We give thanks to the staff and physicians at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in Bermuda, the Emergency Ambulance crew, ER, ICU and Admitting for the kind, compassionate, dignified and professional caring of my dear wife and mother, Elizabeth Fraser. Thanks to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital ambulance crew who answered that emergency call Al, Sandra and one other whose name was unknown. Thanks especially to Dr. Campbell, Dr. Thouet and to Dr. Pinto, Dr. Cappadonna and the attending Emergency Physician on admission to hospital. Thanks to all the remarkable ICU nurses especially Jacqui, Yanique, Regina and Catherina for all their compassionate caring and support. Thanks to all the ICU staff. Cremation has already taken place in Bermuda.

Bettie Is Gone

You can shed tears that Bettie is gone,

Or you can smile because Bettie has lived.

You can close your eyes and

pray that Bettie will come back,

Or you can open your eyes and

see that Bettie has left.

Your heart can be empty

because you can't see Bettie,

Or you can be full of love that you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow

and live yesterday,

Or you can be happy for tomorrow

because of yesterday.

You can remember Bettie

only that Bettie is gone,

Or you can cherish Bettie's memory

and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind,

be empty and turn your back,

Or you can do what Bettie

would certainly want:

Smile, Open your Eyes, Love and Go On.

My dearest and most precious Bettie you were the love of my life, my best friend, my soulmate and my everything! I thank you for loving me and I will miss you my darling until we are once again reunited in life everlasting in the hands of God our Saviour, and Lord, Jesus Christ. I love you my darling Bettie now, and forever and ever! Bob

"And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,

bear you on the breath of dawn,

make you to shine like the sun,

and hold you in the palm of His hand."

"Rest In Peace"

A Funeral Service for Elizabeth Harding Fraser will take place on Friday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Andrew's Anglican Church located at 2700 Portage Avenue in Winnipeg. Flowers are gratefully declined, anyone wishing may make a donation in Bettie's name to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation, 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 06, 2017