HELEN BETTINA (BETTY) FRANCIS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

HELEN BETTINA (BETTY) FRANCIS Suddenly on June 17, 2002 at the Health Sciences Centre, Helen Bettina (Betty) Francis passed away at the age of 92. Betty is survived by her niece Enid Chapman, her husband Bob, their children Mark and Robyn, and close friend and neighbour Joe Sharp. She was predeceased by her mother Edith in 1951, her father Hedley in 1958, and sister Mollie in 1980. Born in England on December 26, 1909, Betty came to Winnipeg in 1912 where her parents settled into the home where Betty still lived. After graduating from normal school in 1929, Betty began her teaching career. Beginning in Wasagiming in a one-room school with nine grades, Betty taught in rural Manitoba for 25 years. Her career took her to Melrose, Teulon, Pratt and Pilot Mound. On returning to Winnipeg, she taught in Harrow, Cecil Rhodes and Inkster Schools. In 1974, she retired for all of one summer, returning to Cecil Rhodes that September as a volunteer resource teacher. For the past 28 years, every Monday afternoon, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, Betty worked with Grades 1 to 3 students who needed extra help in the three Rs (reading, writing and arithmetic). Betty had often said that Cecil Rhodes was her school, she was a student, teacher and then volunteer. In December 1997, Cecil Rhodes School renamed its library the Betty Francis Resource Centre in her honour. Betty was also involved in the Winnipeg Music Festival for over 80 years. She was about in Grade 4 when she sang in a choir in the first year of the festival and continued as a participant to the end of Grade 12. While teaching, she supported and assisted music teachers coming to the festival. More recently, she volunteered ushering school choirs to their seats. In the 60s and 70s Betty travelled extensively, visiting England, the South Seas, Caribbean, and the Orient. Throughout her travels she never took a picture. She said she had her memories, and that was enough. Betty was an amazing person who loved kids and devoted her life to them. Through her career and volunteering, she has touched the lives of hundreds of people. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bettys memory to the Betty Francis Resource Centre, c/o Cecil Rhodes School, 1570 Elgin W, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 1C2. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 21, 2002 at 3:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. Interment to follow in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 20, 2002