Obituary for Betty Mae Gingrich
Peacefully on May 12, 2020 at the age of 91 years, surrounded by her loving family our angel Betty Mae Gingrich got her wings. She left us the way she lived with strength, dignity, great faith, charity, kindness, acceptance and love, so very much love.
Mom was born on January 5, 1929 in Mitchell, Ontario and at a young age the family moved to Elmira where she grew up. As a young wife and Mother she had the courage to move west to Manitoba, and after three years in Steinbach, the family settled in Gimli.
Mom lived her life to the fullest, with a sense of adventure, dedication to her family, and forward thinking. If life served up lemons, she shed a little tear, pulled herself up, made those lemons into lemonade and served it to the world.
Mom was a born teacher and taught for 32 years. She fondly remembered all of her students and you just had to mention a name and she would share a story about them that brought a smile to her face. Many of the colleagues she taught with became life long friends, with whom she shared many memories.
Mom had many passions. She was an avid knitter, knitting love in to every stitch of her Icelandic sweaters, mitts, prayer shawls and countless baby sweaters. She loved to travel, and travelled to almost every continent. She passed on her love of travel to all of us and widened our horizons to be aware of more than our little piece of the world. She played a mean game of Scrabble, beat us all at Jeopardy and could name every bird. Her mind remained sharp until the end.
Mom had great faith and truly believed in the power of prayer. She believed that through living her faith she could help the world be a better place. The fellowship and friendship of her church family were a significant part of her life.
Mom loved her family so very much. We all knew how special we were to her. She taught us how important it is to keep each other close and accept each other for who we are, and if we did this we would never be lonely or alone.
Mom is survived by her four children, Gayanne Prise, Jane (Les) Schoonmaker, Michael Gingrich, Heidi Gingrich (Dan Goray); seven grandchildren, Russell, Abby (Rob), Ian, Megan (Kyle), Ethan, Devan, Felicia (Don); and six great grandchildren, Kelsey, Shealyn, Brayden, Tripp, AJ and Silas. By her sisters Carol Stortz, Sandra (Clint) Rohr; brothers, Jack (Helen) Brown, Bill (Joyce) Brown; sisters in law Velorous (John) Shearer, Eileen Gingrich; brothers in law Virgil (Della) Gingrich, Delmar (Marguerite) Gingrich; along with countless nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.
She was predeceased by her parents William and Gladys Brown; brother Howard (Mary) Brown; and sisters Jean (Walter) Hachborn, Ruth (Wolf) Fink; brother in law Cyril Stortz; parents in law Ozias and Naomi Gingrich; brothers in law Newton (Mary) Gingrich, Vernon Gingrich; sister in law Vietta (Tom) Oshiro; nephew Daryl; her children’s father Gordon Gingrich; and an infant daughter.
Mom we miss you so much already. You were our rock and soft place to land. We will take so much comfort in knowing that the angels will wrap you in their loving arms and keep you safe until we meet again. For those of you who had the privilege to know her, we hope you remember her with a smile!
The family would like to thank Dr Blelloch and the nurses and staff of the Gimli Community Health Centre, the Gimli and Selkirk dialysis staff, her homecare workers, meals on wheels staff and the MAID program who all gave her excellent care and enabled her to live and die with dignity. We appreciate your kindness and care.
Thank-you to Pastor Rick Schulz of the Gimli Lutheran Church for the comfort and spiritual guidance he provided to Mom and her family.
There will be no funeral service at this time. Neil Bardal Funeral Centre in care of arrangements. Mom supported many charities, as expressions of sympathy a donation can be made to a charity of your choice in her name.
Mom was born on January 5, 1929 in Mitchell, Ontario and at a young age the family moved to Elmira where she grew up. As a young wife and Mother she had the courage to move west to Manitoba, and after three years in Steinbach, the family settled in Gimli.
Mom lived her life to the fullest, with a sense of adventure, dedication to her family, and forward thinking. If life served up lemons, she shed a little tear, pulled herself up, made those lemons into lemonade and served it to the world.
Mom was a born teacher and taught for 32 years. She fondly remembered all of her students and you just had to mention a name and she would share a story about them that brought a smile to her face. Many of the colleagues she taught with became life long friends, with whom she shared many memories.
Mom had many passions. She was an avid knitter, knitting love in to every stitch of her Icelandic sweaters, mitts, prayer shawls and countless baby sweaters. She loved to travel, and travelled to almost every continent. She passed on her love of travel to all of us and widened our horizons to be aware of more than our little piece of the world. She played a mean game of Scrabble, beat us all at Jeopardy and could name every bird. Her mind remained sharp until the end.
Mom had great faith and truly believed in the power of prayer. She believed that through living her faith she could help the world be a better place. The fellowship and friendship of her church family were a significant part of her life.
Mom loved her family so very much. We all knew how special we were to her. She taught us how important it is to keep each other close and accept each other for who we are, and if we did this we would never be lonely or alone.
Mom is survived by her four children, Gayanne Prise, Jane (Les) Schoonmaker, Michael Gingrich, Heidi Gingrich (Dan Goray); seven grandchildren, Russell, Abby (Rob), Ian, Megan (Kyle), Ethan, Devan, Felicia (Don); and six great grandchildren, Kelsey, Shealyn, Brayden, Tripp, AJ and Silas. By her sisters Carol Stortz, Sandra (Clint) Rohr; brothers, Jack (Helen) Brown, Bill (Joyce) Brown; sisters in law Velorous (John) Shearer, Eileen Gingrich; brothers in law Virgil (Della) Gingrich, Delmar (Marguerite) Gingrich; along with countless nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.
She was predeceased by her parents William and Gladys Brown; brother Howard (Mary) Brown; and sisters Jean (Walter) Hachborn, Ruth (Wolf) Fink; brother in law Cyril Stortz; parents in law Ozias and Naomi Gingrich; brothers in law Newton (Mary) Gingrich, Vernon Gingrich; sister in law Vietta (Tom) Oshiro; nephew Daryl; her children’s father Gordon Gingrich; and an infant daughter.
Mom we miss you so much already. You were our rock and soft place to land. We will take so much comfort in knowing that the angels will wrap you in their loving arms and keep you safe until we meet again. For those of you who had the privilege to know her, we hope you remember her with a smile!
The family would like to thank Dr Blelloch and the nurses and staff of the Gimli Community Health Centre, the Gimli and Selkirk dialysis staff, her homecare workers, meals on wheels staff and the MAID program who all gave her excellent care and enabled her to live and die with dignity. We appreciate your kindness and care.
Thank-you to Pastor Rick Schulz of the Gimli Lutheran Church for the comfort and spiritual guidance he provided to Mom and her family.
There will be no funeral service at this time. Neil Bardal Funeral Centre in care of arrangements. Mom supported many charities, as expressions of sympathy a donation can be made to a charity of your choice in her name.