Betty Forbes

Peacefully, on Thursday, May 30th, 2019, Betty Forbes passed away at Douglas Campbell Lodge at the age of 95 years.

Left to cherish Betty’s memory are her children Donna (Reg) Yeske of Long Beach, CA, Charles (Kelly Drew) Forbes of Portage la Prairie, MB, Betty Lou (Bill) Komfolio of Leduc, AB, and Brian (Joan) Forbes of Roblin, MB, grandchildren Steven, Scott (Jane), Ginny (Josh), Landon, Riley (Kelsey), David (Cheryl), Nick, Brian (Jamie) and Meagan, great-grandchildren Abby, Carter, Jake, Ayla, Jessa, Mackenzie, Hailey and Corbin, sister Audrey (Stan) Pearse and special friend (chosen sister) of 85 years Auntie Bud Whitehill.

Betty was predeceased by her husband Bill and parents William and Florence (nee Pettitt) Smart, as well as four sisters and three brothers.

Betty was born to William and Florence (nee Pettitt) Smart on August 16, 1923 in Keyes, MB one of 9 children.   Her father was a railway man with the CPR and therefore she spent most of her life in various small Manitoba towns, always close to the railway.  I guess she never lost the love of being beside a railway track as that is where she resided in Portage for 52 years prior to moving to her residence at the Douglas Campbell Lodge.

Mom did light housekeeping in Winnipeg for elderly people in the early 1940’s.  She worked for a National Drug Company for a couple of years packaging pills.  Betty’s parents resided in Rathwell, Manitoba at this time and due to her ill health Mom moved from Winnipeg to Rathwell to be under the care of her regular family Doctor and her parents.  This is where she met her beloved Bill who, at that time, was being discharged from the Army and began employment with Canada Post after his war service overseas.  Mom and Dad were married in June of 1947 at Young United Church in Winnipeg.

They returned to Rathwell where Dad was Postmaster from 1948-1953.  Donna was born the winter of 1949.  Dad re-mustered into the Royal Canadian Air Forces and moved to Southport PMQ’s.  Throughout this period and soon after the rest of the children were born; Charles (1952), Betty Lou (1953) and Brian (1958).

The family then transferred to the Langar base in Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire, England.   This was a different but enjoyable and rewarding experience to have lived on another continent.   We traveled to England on the HMS Carinthia leaving from Montreal for the 10 day journey.  We were one of the last military families to travel from Canada to England by ocean liner.

Upon returning to Portage the family rented a house on 5th Street NE while looking for a permanent home to buy.  The family eventually settled at 4th Street NE where Mom continued to live for 52 years until her move to the Douglas Campbell Lodge.  Mom kept busy after Dad’s passing (1977) with her bowling, curling and watching her beloved Blue Jays.  She also had a great group of friends that she regularly played cards with on a weekly basis where they would laugh, eat and on occasion have a glass of wine or two.  My Mom loved to show off her house during these times.  She was very proud of how far that old structure had developed over the years into a warm and inviting home.

When Mom entered the Douglas Campbell Lodge she continued her love of curling, bowling and bingo with the activities staff.   She won the bowling trophy on numerous occasions and several Bingo pots.

At this time the family would especially like to thank the staff (nursing, dietary, health care aids and medical staff) at the Douglas Campbell Lodge for all their kindness and thoughtful actions they expressed to our Mom while she resided there.  A special thanks to the activity staff for encouraging our Mom to take part in all the various activities even as her health began to decline.

A Celebration of Betty’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 2:00 pm at McKenzie United Church, Portage la Prairie, MB led by Wilma Shirriff. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

If friends so desire, donations in Betty’s memory may be made to Portage Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), 121 12th St. NE, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 4A2.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com