Elizabeth Butler

Elizabeth Butler

1943 - 2022

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Elizabeth

Obituary of Elizabeth Butler

Elizabeth (Betty) Butler, nee Bowcott, age 79, of Winnipeg, passed away peacefully at home after a lengthy illness surrounded by her children on Thursday, March 17, 2022.

Betty is predeceased by her loving parents Ted and Effie Bowcott, Dennis Alvestad, numerous aunts and uncles, grandparents, niece Bonnie, great-niece Natasha, and great-nephew Tyler, and special friend Carol Carlson.

She is survived by:

Her children: Kimberly (Mike), Laura, Burke, and Stacey. 

Grandchildren: Stephanie, Andrew (Jenny), Jennifer (Andrew), Kirsten (Phil), Cheyanne, Michael (Ashleigh), Tristen, Zain, and Wyatt. 

Great-grandchildren: Stanlee, Blake, Sophie, Airilynn, Savannah, Aliyah, Lylah, and Leo.

Siblings: Ray (Joy), Gordon, Wayne (Karen), Margaret (Bob), special cousin Marjorie Howard (and family), Auntie Marg Bryan (and family), numerous Maxwell and Bowcott cousins.

Many Nieces and Nephews (Auntie Betty loved them all!)

So many Maxwell and Bowcott cousins.

Our Mom was born and raised in Winnipeg; she grew up in St. Vital attending Glenlawn Collegiate where she excelled in sports and academics, competing in track and relay racing with her twin sister Margaret, they won many races and were featured in the sports section as “double trouble”. 

Betty attended the University of Winnipeg and Teacher’s College; after graduating Mom went to teach in Northern Communities, she told us many stories of how much she loved this time in her life, when she had the chance to return North to help with the Census, she jumped at the chance to explore the beauty of Northern Canada.

When we were in elementary school, Mom made guest appearances in our classrooms as a substitute teacher; calling our mom, “Mrs. Butler” put a huge smile on her face.

Not only did she teach school, she also taught skating and was a Brownie, Cub and 4H Leader. She constantly and lovingly taught her family so many valuable skills and lessons: “if you can’t get along, you should get along” and “to have a friend you need to be a friend”.

Betty loved to travel, which began with the twins taking their six children, Kimberly, Laura, Burke, and Stacey, Cindy, and Bradley (the twins' kids) on epic road trips which usually included a couple of dogs as well. She had many trips to Las Vegas with her mom and sister and with us when we were old enough.  She traveled to Portugal with her brother Ray and Joy.

Mom and Dennis went to Hawaii many times, to the East Coast, Los Angeles, and Florida, and shorter trips to the lake to boat and golf.

Family Occasions including trips to Shooting Star, South Beach, van trips to Rossburn as well as our annual get-together at Rainbow Stage were all planned by mom and enjoyed by all!

Her biggest travelling adventures were to Africa and Scotland.

Betty enjoyed and participated in many other activities, she curled for many years with Auntie Marg (her BFF) in fun leagues and competitively in Seniors and Masters, together they won the Manitoba Seniors Bonspiel in 1994.  Mom excelled in baseball, bowling, figure skating, golf, and she took up Pickle Ball where she was named Rookie of the Year when she was 77. 

Mom was an amazing gardener (a trait from her dad), her backyard was so gorgeous and well kept.

We sure will miss Mom’s baking at Christmas, and so will a lot of her family and friends, since she always made enough for everyone. She was a great cook and she taught us everything she knew.

Mom was lots of fun and very funny, her one-liner (zingers) will never be forgotten. She was a very good friend and confidante, if you told her a secret, she would keep it. Legend has it that even if you tied her to an ant hill, she would never spill.

Mom was very proud of her grandchildren, and always asked what they were up to, and participated in all events their lives, she loved to watch sports, especially if she knew the people playing. She delighted in supporting and cheering them on.

We would like to thank the special friends in Mom’s life who were always there for her and us.

Aunty Margie and Uncle Bob Crockett, Bob Ramsey, Eric Carlson, Auntie Arniel, Pauline Couch, Yvette Bruneau, Maggie and Les Magnussen, Lorraine, Wayne and Cathy Farmer.

MOM WE WILL MISS YOU VERY MUCH, WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE AND REMEMBER YOU, WE ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR HAVING THE BEST MOM EVER!!!

Kim, Laura, Burke and Stacey.

An internment in Rossburn, MB will happen later this summer.

A celebration of life is being planned.