Obituary for Betty-Lou Grier
BETTY-LOU (BETTY) RUTH GRIER
(nee BOGSETH)
August 7, 1944 - March 14, 2022
Betty passed peacefully at Deer Lodge Centre on Monday, March 14, 2022, with family by her side.
She is survived by her children, Geoff Grier, Campbell Grier (Katie), Jocelyn Cordeiro (Victor); her grandchildren, Andrew Grier, Davis Cordeiro, and Grier Cordeiro; her sisters-in-law, Sandra Bogseth and Carol Davis, and stepsister Mary Ellen Derro. She was predeceased by her husband Andrew Grier; her mother Kathleen Davis, father George Bogseth, and stepfather Leslie Davis; and her brothers, Rocklee Bogseth and Keith Davis.
Betty was born in Winnipeg and lived primarily in St. Vital and downtown while growing up, close to many family connections.
After graduating from Glenlawn Collegiate, Betty went to work for the Manitoba Telephone System as a telephone operator. She went on to work for Winnipeg Transit, and it was there that she met the love of her life Andy Grier. During their 37 years of marriage she and Andy raised three wonderful children. Betty, Andy and family enjoyed many adventures together, including running the Grier’s General Store in Ridgeville Manitoba, working with church and community in Stony Mountain where Andy had a pastoral charge with the United Church, and becoming houseparents at the Teulon Residences, before finally moving back to Winnipeg. Betty balanced raising her family with completing her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Manitoba while also working. During her time working for Teulon Residences, Betty began work on her Bachelor of Social Work degree at U of M, which she completed while working for the Independent Living Resource Centre.
After earning her BSW, Betty went on to work in long term care as a social worker at Beacon Hill Lodge, Deer Lodge Centre, and St. Norbert Personal Care Home. One of her proudest achievements during this time was helping a resident reconnect with his family and return to his home in Poland. After working in long term care, Betty found a new passion working for disAbility Services where she was a fierce advocate for children and families.
Throughout her life Betty was very generous with her time. She volunteered for many years with the Girl Guides of Canada, and fondly remembered her time and the friendship connections she made as a Ranger leader. During the years when the family lived in Stony Mountain, Betty taught Sunday school and was an active member with the United Church Women. Betty and Andy also did important work to support the inmates within the Stony Mountain Institution, which included being frequent visitors with the institution, inviting families to stay in their home while visiting their loved ones, and in one case opening their home to an individual and providing a safe landing place upon his release. As Betty moved into the field of social work, she volunteered with a team at 1010 Sinclair supporting independent living and served on the board of the Manitoba Association of Personal Care Home Workers.
Betty embraced life and loved celebrating holidays and other events with loved ones. She delighted in hosting parties and was at her happiest when her home was filled with friends and family. Having friends over for a movie night or going out to share a meal and a visit were always important highlights of Betty’s life. Through email and social media, she maintained regular contact with friends, families, former co-workers, and former students. She enjoyed keeping up with the latest movies and music, and always showed a keen interest in the things that her children, and later her grandchildren were into.
Betty also had a lifelong connection with Grand Beach, which was dear to her because of her childhood memories of her family cottage there. She shared this tradition and love with her own family, finding ways to continue visiting Grand Beach over the years. Of course, while there she would always invite friends and family to visit and stay with her, and cherished the time spent at the cottage and beach with her own children and grandchildren.
Many thanks to the caring staff at St. Boniface Hospital and Deer Lodge Centre, and to the many friends and family who visited and supported Betty during her stay in hospital. You went above and beyond during a very difficult time to support Betty and her family, and to bring her quality of life in her final months. Your time, support, and love are truly appreciated.
A Celebration of Betty’s Life will be held on Sunday August 7 2022 (her 78th birthday) at 11:30 a.m. in St. Vital Park in site #1. All are welcome. A tent and chairs will be provided, though seating will be limited. Please consider bringing a chair if you are able. A light lunch will be served after the program.
(nee BOGSETH)
August 7, 1944 - March 14, 2022
Betty passed peacefully at Deer Lodge Centre on Monday, March 14, 2022, with family by her side.
She is survived by her children, Geoff Grier, Campbell Grier (Katie), Jocelyn Cordeiro (Victor); her grandchildren, Andrew Grier, Davis Cordeiro, and Grier Cordeiro; her sisters-in-law, Sandra Bogseth and Carol Davis, and stepsister Mary Ellen Derro. She was predeceased by her husband Andrew Grier; her mother Kathleen Davis, father George Bogseth, and stepfather Leslie Davis; and her brothers, Rocklee Bogseth and Keith Davis.
Betty was born in Winnipeg and lived primarily in St. Vital and downtown while growing up, close to many family connections.
After graduating from Glenlawn Collegiate, Betty went to work for the Manitoba Telephone System as a telephone operator. She went on to work for Winnipeg Transit, and it was there that she met the love of her life Andy Grier. During their 37 years of marriage she and Andy raised three wonderful children. Betty, Andy and family enjoyed many adventures together, including running the Grier’s General Store in Ridgeville Manitoba, working with church and community in Stony Mountain where Andy had a pastoral charge with the United Church, and becoming houseparents at the Teulon Residences, before finally moving back to Winnipeg. Betty balanced raising her family with completing her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Manitoba while also working. During her time working for Teulon Residences, Betty began work on her Bachelor of Social Work degree at U of M, which she completed while working for the Independent Living Resource Centre.
After earning her BSW, Betty went on to work in long term care as a social worker at Beacon Hill Lodge, Deer Lodge Centre, and St. Norbert Personal Care Home. One of her proudest achievements during this time was helping a resident reconnect with his family and return to his home in Poland. After working in long term care, Betty found a new passion working for disAbility Services where she was a fierce advocate for children and families.
Throughout her life Betty was very generous with her time. She volunteered for many years with the Girl Guides of Canada, and fondly remembered her time and the friendship connections she made as a Ranger leader. During the years when the family lived in Stony Mountain, Betty taught Sunday school and was an active member with the United Church Women. Betty and Andy also did important work to support the inmates within the Stony Mountain Institution, which included being frequent visitors with the institution, inviting families to stay in their home while visiting their loved ones, and in one case opening their home to an individual and providing a safe landing place upon his release. As Betty moved into the field of social work, she volunteered with a team at 1010 Sinclair supporting independent living and served on the board of the Manitoba Association of Personal Care Home Workers.
Betty embraced life and loved celebrating holidays and other events with loved ones. She delighted in hosting parties and was at her happiest when her home was filled with friends and family. Having friends over for a movie night or going out to share a meal and a visit were always important highlights of Betty’s life. Through email and social media, she maintained regular contact with friends, families, former co-workers, and former students. She enjoyed keeping up with the latest movies and music, and always showed a keen interest in the things that her children, and later her grandchildren were into.
Betty also had a lifelong connection with Grand Beach, which was dear to her because of her childhood memories of her family cottage there. She shared this tradition and love with her own family, finding ways to continue visiting Grand Beach over the years. Of course, while there she would always invite friends and family to visit and stay with her, and cherished the time spent at the cottage and beach with her own children and grandchildren.
Many thanks to the caring staff at St. Boniface Hospital and Deer Lodge Centre, and to the many friends and family who visited and supported Betty during her stay in hospital. You went above and beyond during a very difficult time to support Betty and her family, and to bring her quality of life in her final months. Your time, support, and love are truly appreciated.
A Celebration of Betty’s Life will be held on Sunday August 7 2022 (her 78th birthday) at 11:30 a.m. in St. Vital Park in site #1. All are welcome. A tent and chairs will be provided, though seating will be limited. Please consider bringing a chair if you are able. A light lunch will be served after the program.