Betty Lou Morrison

With her family at her bedside, Betty Lou Morrison passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at the HSC ICU at the age of 68 years.

Left to mourn is her husband Ken of Portage la Prairie, son Tim (Rachel) of Winnipeg, daughter Jennifer (Jamie) of Hamilton ON. and granddaughter Katie of Winnipeg. She is also survived by her sister and three brothers as well as numerous other relatives.

Betty Lou was born on August 21, 1951 in the Souris Hospital.  She was the third child of five to be born to Eileen and Ken Lovatt of Carroll MB. She was raised on the Lovatt Farm south of Carroll MB and attended Carroll school for grades 1 thru 8.  Grades 9 to 12 were taken in Souris at SCI. After high school she enrolled in the nursing degree program at the Brandon Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated as a Register Nurse in 1972.

It was during her high school years she met a boy, a farm kid from south of Souris named Ken Morrison. They dated all thru school and nurses training. They were married in St. Paul’s United church in Souris on Mar. 25, 1972. Very shortly after their wedding Ken was transferred to Portage la Prairie. They moved to Portage la Prairie in 1972 and have made Portage la Prairie their home ever since. Betty Lou worked at the Portage General Hospital on the surgical ward and then the pediatric ward until she retired in 2002.  Betty Lou and Ken have two children, Tim born Jan. 05, 1974, and Jennifer born April 18, 1977. While the children were growing up Betty Lou switched to working nights so she could look after the kids during the day and Ken would look after them at night.

Betty’s interests included curling, bowling, tennis, camping and fishing. She loved the walking track at Stride Place where few could keep up with the pace she set. She was an excellent painter of craft items and also had a deft hand on the sewing machine. She created many costumes for the kids.  Her favorite hobbies were her yard and house. She took great pride in her flowers and garden. Betty Lou liked to plant flowers that attracted hummingbirds. Her favorite spot on a sunny morning was on the deck with a coffee watching the hummers and butterflies. She made sure to plant milk weed for the monarchs.

Without doubt her greatest joy was spending time with her granddaughter, Katie. When Katie was little they would have high tea and play Barbies. Just recently they had the music on and were dancing up a storm in the living room! Betty Lou was looking forward to taking Katie on a shopping spree for her birthday.

Betty Lou was a dedicated nurse well respected in her profession. She was strong willed and ready to argue her position on politics or social issues with anyone. Words cannot describe our sorrow.

Reception will be held at Herman Prior Centre on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, with sharing of memories at 4:30pm.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Betty Lou’s memory to the Canadian Red Cross, Manitoba Office P.O. Box 2441 STN Main Winnipeg, MB  R3C 9Z9 or Brandon General Hospital School of Nursing Scholarship - Brandon University Foundation 270 18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9, online at BrandonU.ca/Give.

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