BETTY SWAIN (FORSYTH)

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BETTY SWAIN (nee FORSYTH) Betty left us peacefully on August 22, 2004 shortly after returning from a large family gathering the previous day in Lac Du Bonnet. Born in Ericsdale, MB on October 28, 1915 and christened Elizabeth Alice Forsyth, Betty was the youngest of five siblings. Her parents were Mabel and James Forsyth. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Douglas Swain, her brother Jack and her sister Margaret Dawson. She leaves her sister Mary Curtis; her brother Jim; and her four children and their spouses, Stafford (Karen), Grant (Lynne), Graham (Joanne) and Shelley (Brian). Mom is also survived by seven grandchildren and a new great-granddaughter. Betty also leaves a large extended clan and the many friends she made over the years. Growing up in Ericsdale, Betty experienced the rigours of pioneering farm life. This developed a lifelong interest in nature such that she could identify birds by their calls and trees by their bark. A move to Portage la Prairie as a teenager and the end of formal schooling caused her to become an entrepreneur at age 15 when she opened a beauty parlour in Portage. Later she worked as a hairdresser in Winnipeg. The late 1960s saw her embark on a successful real estate career where her outgoing nature, enthusiasm and sense of humour shone. She acquired many new friends in her travels and we children often experienced her becoming an even better friend to our friends than we were. Her recreational interests were many. She played organized baseball, canoed and danced at the Winnipeg Canoe Club, fished and golfed with Dad, hunted with her siblings, nephews and friends, learned to swim alongside her children, bowled in our Wildwood Park days, and curled at the Wildewood Club. She was always a great fan of the Bombers and any of the athletic pursuits of her children and grandchildren. She also loved to fly kites, do crossword puzzles and stain-glass windows, pick berries, can fruits and jams, knit, sew, cook, work in her gardens in Winnipeg and at the Dorothy Lake cottage and go for walks in the great outdoors. Mom loved music and she enjoyed attending the many Barbershop Quartet and Sweet Adeline events that Dad produced. As her vision faded in the last few years, her ability to recall the lyrics of many songs kept those nursing home sing-a-long sessions lively. Mom received more than excellent care in the last several years of declining health. We would like to thank the staff members at Misericordia (2nd floor) and Riverview (3C) for their efforts and dedication. The family invites you to informally celebrate Bettys life with us on Wednesday, August 25 at the Wildewood Club, 761 North Dr. (off Pembina Highway at Point Road) from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the North Whiteshell Trail Association (a segment of the Trans-Canada Trail), Box 138, Seven Sisters, MB R0E 1Y0 or a charity of your preference.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 25, 2004