SHIRLEY ELIZABETH (BETTY) LOZINSKI (ROSS)

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SHIRLEY ELIZABETH (BETTY) LOZINSKI
(nee ROSS)
September 16, 1932 - February 2, 2023

It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Mom and Nana at the age of 90, on February 2, 2023, at Kildonan Personal Care Home.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter Susan (Garry) and her three grandchildren, Everett, Madison, Caitlyn, and granddog Rogue, who were all her pride and joy; her sister Helen (Bruce) Lewis of Burlington, ON; her brother Alex of Winnipeg, many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she all adored, especially her nieces, Lynne (Rod) Savage of Fort Francis, ON, and Joan Barthel (one third of the terrific trio) of Winnipeg.
She was predeceased by her cherished husband and best friend of 49 years, Verne, on June 23, 2017, as well as her sister Evelyn Ross on April 26, 2012.
Betty was born on September 16, 1932 in Winnipeg to her parents, Matilda and Alexander Ross. She was the third of four children. Her father was tragically taken from her when Betty was only 12 years old, leaving her mom to raise four children on her own. Despite that, she had a happy and loving childhood, filled with many recollections of her and her siblings being a tightly knit family. She attended Centennial School in West Kildonan for all of her grades. After graduating, she went to work for Great West Life in 1951 where she worked for 18 years. She has many fond memories of participating in "stunt night", Minaki picnics, curling bonspiels and the bowling team throughout her career. She made many close and special friendships during this time.
In 1967, she met the love of her life Verne and on April 20, 1968, they married at John Black Church in Winnipeg. They enjoyed 49 years together before Verne left her side to "ride on ahead" as he liked to say. Together they built a lifetime shared side by side filled with laughter and much love.
In 1971, Betty's dream of becoming a mother came to be on April 23, when her daughter Susan was born. Betty treasured her daughter throughout her years and devoted her life to raising her, spending time with her, showering Susan with her loving, kind and gentle spirit. Betty passed down her favourite hobby of shopping to Susan, which the two of them have many cherished memories of together. In 1993, Betty gained the son she always wanted when Susan married Garry, the two of them sharing a teasing sense of humour with one another, that left the rest of us shaking our heads. In 1999, Betty was ecstatic to be blessed with her first grandchild, Everett. She doted over him and babysat frequently forming a special bond. In 2003, her granddaughter Madison was born (Madi for short, being named after Betty's mom Matilda who also was a Mattie) and in 2006, her granddaughter Caitlyn was born, both sharing the same spirit and joy of life. Betty loved her grandchildren with everything she had, always wanting to know what was going on in their lives and how they were. She rarely missed a dance recital, hockey or soccer match, school concert or any opportunity to share in her grandkids' lives. There will be no more "halfies" so she could try a sampling from everyones plate of food. We will miss your exuberance for all the birthday and holiday meals. Everytime they see a small ketchup pack, they will put it in their pocket and think of Nana, and her sweet "um-hello" will be dearly missed.
In December of 1971 Betty and Verne moved into their forever home on Laxdal Road in Charleswood where they raised their family and enjoyed a close knit community life for 43 years, making many friends and being a part of Laxdal's stitch and bitch club doing a variety of crafts that she loved creating. Betty loved walking many a mile in Charleswood with her dear friend Karen, always stopping for coffee before the final mile.
Betty loved all sports and was very active playing badminton, baseball for the Charleswood Varsity View ladies, curling for Charleswood Curling Club for 25 years, and golfing at Tuxedo and River Oaks for many years, all while making more lifelong friendships. She was also a proud member of the Clan Ross Association of Winnipeg for several years being proud of her Scottish heritage. She attended Charleswood United Church while residing in the community. Betty also loved her Winnipeg Blue Bombers and watched every game they played.
Betty loved to travel whenever she had a chance, some of her highlights were travelling across Canada from the East to West coasts, New York, California, Jamaica, Florida and a Caribbean Cruise with friends. Her last trip being with her dear sister-in-law and friend Helen (the second in the terrific trio) to Palm Springs in 2013. She enjoyed many Christmas shopping trips to Grand Forks, Fargo , Minot and Branson with her sister "Effie". As well as many trips to Grand Forks and Dauphin with Verne and Susan, which were cherished family times.
Betty was blessed to have many friends in her life. There were many memories made and laughter shared over lunches, dinners or at someone's home reminiscing about the "good old days" followed by many card games played. Betty loved to entertain in her home, and would pour over cookbooks looking for the perfect recipes to prepare. She had the ability to make a friend in a minute with her welcoming, energetic personality, and keep them for a lifetime. She always looked at the good and positive in people and never judged or spoke badly of anyone. Betty was the life of the party. The party did not start until she arrived, where she always shared her lovely (and some would say wicked) sense of humour, her fun loving character, and her vitality with those who were lucky enough to have her light touch them. She was the most unselfish, giving person you would ever meet.
In 2014 Betty moved into Devonshire Place until August of 2022, where her brother Alex also resided, then spent her final time at Kildonan Personal Care Home in North Kildonan.
The outpouring of messages, notes and memories this past week have all had a common theme. Betty was one of the most kind hearted, sweet, loved and favourite people who walked this earth, who always made you feel special. The world lost one of its true and pure angels, and heaven gained what surely will be one of the most beautiful souls whose light will continually shine brightly down from above.
There are no words to express how very deeply you will be missed Mom. We know you and Dad are together again. We know the bagpipes are playing and the party has started. We look forward to the day when we can join in.
A special thank you to the nurses and staff at Kildonan Personal Care Home for their loving compassion and care of Mom in her final days, and especially to her personal caregiver Rosemarie Russell. I am forever grateful.
In keeping with how Betty lived, there will be a private celebration of her life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers anti bullying campaign or their love of reading program.

Afterglow
I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and
laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun,
of happy memories that I leave when my life here is done.

-Helen Lowrie Marshall

Mom
I thought of you today, but that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday and days before that too.
I think of you in silence, I often speak your name.
All I have are memories and a picture in a frame.
Your memory is a keepsake from which I'll never part.
God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart.

- your daughter forever.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 11, 2023