PHYLLIS ELIZABETH WATSON (TANNER) (TOD)

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PHYLLIS ELIZABETH WATSON (TANNER) (nee TOD) After a brief illness and with typical Scottish dignity and nonchalance, Elizabeth Watson died on August 30, 2003 at 90 years of age. She was predeceased by her parents John and Mary Tod; and four older siblings, Vera, James, Allan, and Pete; and her first husband Arthur Robert Tanner. She is survived by her loving second husband Ronald Frederick Watson; her children, Frances and husband Allan Lindquist, and John Tanner and his wife Eveline (nee Farlinger) grandchildren, Susan, David, Jane, Laurie, Jennifer, and Richard; and great-grandchildren, Jane, Zoe, Claire, Laurie, Josephine, Sam, Jaden, and Frank. In addition to nieces, Shirley, Lois, Mary, Jackie, and Nancy, and nephew Allie, she is also survived by her stepfamily, Mavis and Allan Whicker, Edna Watson, Pam and Ken Gordon and son Ewan, and Jennifer and Kurt Engbrecht and son Kieran. Betty was born and raised in Winnipeg, where she graduated from the University of Manitoba (Arts 1933). She married Dr. Bob Tanner on April Fools Day, 1939, and spent most of The Second World War in Britain with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps stationed at Taplow. On her return to Winnipeg, she became heavily involved in musical circles, especially the Womens Musical Club, where she served as president from 1958 to 1961. It was also in 1961 that she and Bob built Caerlochan at Spruce Sands, an enduring source of joy to her and her family and friends, almost to the end of her long life. After Bobs death in 1969, Betty maintained Caerlochan essentially by herself for 14 years, until meeting her soon-to-be second husband, Ron, in St. James Anglican Choir. Ron was a godsend to Betty in many, many ways, not the least being his marvellous ability to maintain and improve Caerlochan for them. Of course, Betty and Ron also shared their love of music, and we are particularly grateful to Virtuosi Concerts and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for the friendliness extended to them over the years. In addition to the family, Betty is remembered by her great friends Fran Bowles and Bet Tisdale, and her beloved Mah-jongg group Molly McLennan, Jean Best, and Mary Ryan. Lastly, we are grateful to her caregivers during her final illness: Drs. Brendan McDougall, Mark Heywood, Bob Lotocki, and all their gentle house-staff, and especially Savi, Louise, and Cathy for their devotion and unstinting care. Bettys funeral will be held at the Thomson Funeral Chapels, 669 Broadway on Wednesday, September 3 at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Noelle Bowles officiating. Interment will follow in St. Johns Cathedral Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Sheldon and Kingsley Bowles, Eddie Dearden, David Ireland, Dennis Daly, Jack Farr and Jim Preston. Donations in Bettys memory may be made to Operation Eyesight, Amnesty International, or a charity of your choice. THOMSON Funeral Chapels - 669 Broadway - 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 02, 2003