Obituary of Betty Bexfield

Betty Bexfield passed away in Lloydminster on Sunday, February 10 at the age of 90 years. Betty will be sadly missed by: four children, Barry (Joanne) Chapman, Bonnie (Grant) Holtby, Rae (Jim) Wilson, and Jack (Deb) Bexfield; twelve grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Eulogy; Betty Helen Bexfield (Bird, Chapman) Feb. 15, 2013 We've gathered here today at All Saint's to remember and celebrate Mom's life- Betty Helen Bexfield Mom was baptized, confirmed, and married here. She saw her family through the same rituals, and it was here at All Saints, that she witnessed the funerals of her loved one's. Mom was an ardent supporter and an active participant in the activities of her Church for over 60 years. All Saint's was Mom's spiritual home. Betty Helen Bexfield was the youngest child born to Charlie and Nell Bird on Jan. 15th 1923. She grew up on the Bird farm West of Lashburn, with four brothers, Don, Fred, Sid, Ray, and one older sister, Peggy. They all attended Wirral School. You can guess Mom grew up a bit of a "tom boy," as she tried to keep up with her brothers. Her mom, Nell, was determined to make her a lady, and instilled in her a strong sense of duty, faith, and respectfulness. Still, Mom was Charlie's little girl and his shadow, according to Aunt Alcy. This may well be; where she developed such an interest in planting, growing and operating any piece of equipment. Mom lost her Dad in 1933-when she was ten. Her life took an abrupt change. The boys took on the farming duties, over-seen by their Uncle Will Saunders. Peggy enrolled at School for Girls in Edmonton. And Betty became her Mom's;' right-hand at cooking and cleaning for the boys. Nell and Charlie's sisters-Daisy Saunders and Alcy Bird were best friends and all teachers back in England. The whole family had to pull together. Their restructured family was settled again. They worked hard and they knew how to play hard! Church, music, games, soft ball were the order of the day. Young people gathered at Birds most Sundays for fun, fellowship, and of course supper! Mom told us the story of getting her first driver's license when she was fourteen. Her Mom had given her $6.00 to drive into Lashburn to get groceries at Snyder & Armstrong. When she got to the store, the policeman drove up behind her. She couldn't produce a license as requested. Bob Armstrong, who was watching the whole performance, came out of the store to assist. The policeman was telling her she needed to have a license. She could buy one across the street for $5.00. Mom was worrying she wouldn't have enough money to buy the groceries. Bob had the answer! She could buy the license and he could put the balance of the grocery bill on the books! Imagine, buying a license for $5.00 today, with no driver training-- and at age 14! Better yet, try buying groceries with $6.00 today! Mom taught herself how to sew, making dresses and pant suits for Peggy, her cousin Ali Bird and herself. About that time, Bill Chapman came courting. They would ride Bill's "45 Harley" motor bike to Lloydminster to take in the Saturday night movie. They loved dancing, and would use the horse drawn caboose in the winter, to take in one of the many school- house dances. Meanwhile, Mom's twin brothers, Ray and Sid had entered the School of Agriculture at U of S. They would receive many achievement awards before they enlisted to serve their country, in World War Two. Betty and Bill were married in Jan.1942. They lived in Regina, where Bill was enrolled at the Pre-Enlistment School. Many times they would meet up with Ray and Sid and have a great time together. Ray and Sid were training to be navigators. Mom told the story of how Sid so enjoyed eating a whole chocolate bar rather than having to cut it in six pieces! Barry was born on Sept. 29th. 1942. Bill took further training in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and Winnipeg. Word was received that Flight Sergeant Ray Bird was killed in action March 3rd 1943. A few months later, the Bird family would receive word that Flight Sergeant Sid Bird was killed in action June 15, 1943. Both of the twins are buried in Germany. Another devastating blow to the family. Bill received his Bombardier wings, and P.O. Commission Sept.3, 1943. He was sent overseas in October of the same year --and joined his Air Crew in Newark, England. Mom was living with her family, when Bonnie was born Dec. 2nd, 1943. Bill's Squadron 454 flew their OPPs from the Darlington Air Field. They flew many missions. They failed to return from their mission, July29, 1944. And were declared 'Missing in Action'. It would be learnt some time later, from captured German documents that Earl William Chapman, Flying Officer, J35119 of the Royal Canadian Air Force was deceased and buried at Kiel, Germany in the British Commonwealth Cemetery. Mom found herself a war widow, with two small children. Her strength of character, her faith, hope and the shear determination that it took to pull herself through, demonstrates the kind of stuff Mom was made of! The laughter of little children with their.. noise and activities filled the Bird house again! Barry and I remember wading with Mom in the slough on a hot summer day. Uncle Fred playing with us! Grandma Bird, {renamed Gar by Barry} playing a rousing march on the piano as we marched around the kitchen table. Happy days! Mom joined the All Saint's Woman's Auxiliary and together with Gar, they hosted many W.A. meetings. Barry and I enjoyed playing with all the kids that came. Mom would become a Life Time Member of the W.A.. Art Bexfield, a long time friend, would visit often and on Aug16, 1948, Betty and Art were married at All Saint's. We all moved into the new house Dad had built on the S.W. of 4. Mom and Dad enjoyed working together, whether they were developing their farm yard or building a life together. They enjoyed square dancing, playing cards with the neighbors, entertaining and loved building projects. Dec.05, 1949 Rae arrived, followed by Dick on June15, 1951. Jack completed the family, with his arrival June 20, 1956. Despite a busy life, Mom would always have time to help her Mom, her Aunts and her Uncle. Gar's little house was moved into their yard to better care for her mom. Mom loved getting family together, the more the better. She was an excellent cook and a 'pastry queen'. We all agreed she 'cooked for taste'. Her meals were always "on time" in keeping with Dad's diabetic schedule. Our home was a busy, happy place where we all had our jobs. Don't complain or you'd hear Mom's favorites, "there's no such word as can't" or "Where there's a will there's a way". Mom was a perfect example of that phrase, she walked the talk! Christmas at our house was like 'Santa's Workshop'. The smells of saw dust, paint and varnish wafted up from the basement in all readiness for Christmas Day! Little wheel barrels, doll cradles, mini china cabinets, and stick horses would find their way under the tree along with leather holsters for the guns made from an old pair of boots! The smells of Mom's Christmas baking were like 'sugar plums dancing in your head. We all remember the old parlor games; 'My Father Bought a Rooster' and 'Here We Go Gathering Nuts In May'. Mom knew how to keep Christmas! We'll never forget our trips to Loon Lake when we stopped for lunch and had Mom's homemade buns with tomatoes and mayo, butter tarts, jam jams and hermits! Every kind of vegetable grew in Mom's huge garden, along with her sunflowers and cosmos. Mom especially loved sunflowers. Sun flowers personified Mom; standing tall, always looking up and facing the sun! Picking and shelling peas was never a favorite job. Mom was pretty upset when Jack and Dick taught the old dog how to pick and strip the peas off the vine for herself! We remember the scurry the night before the first frost! The basement would be bulging with pumpkins, marrow, tomatoes, cucumbers and great bunches of flowers! Baseball, figure skating, hockey, Mom was always there. She loved young people. Our home was a gathering place for our friends. As Dad's arthritis progressed, Mom found her place in the field. She loved running equipment and moreover she wasn't nervous about trying anything. If the job needed to be done, she would do it. Cultivating, harrowing, swathing, combining, she even tried a S.P. swather to finish a field when the pull-type broke down. The job needed to be done! It wasn't long until we were all married and bringing grandchildren home. The grandchildren have some fond memories; - "after school tomato soup and Grandma's cheese buns!" - 'How about a turkey sandwich or ham bun?' - " a basket of strawberries" - " a bucket of KFC" - " a candy dish always full of candies for grandkids" - " waltzing with the car" - "Eskimo pies" - "Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo" bedtime ritual Mom and Dad enjoyed many years of traveling south for part of the winter. The warmth was good for Dad's arthritis and they really enjoyed the company of their new found friends in the parks. They took some silver smith courses at the Arizona College, turning out some beautiful jewelry. They still liked the challenge of creating something together. Mom was a self-taught horticulturalist. She learned as much as she could about soil requirements and plant species. Her yard was beautifully landscaped with trees, shrubs, hedges, roses, and a large variety of perennials. Mom's favorites were lilies. Her yard expressed her passion for life. Mom was alone again when Dad passed away Dec. 31, 1988 at the age of 69. She had to muster the courage to go on and once again she did. The great grand children started to come, and Mom got a new name, "G.G."-short for great grandma, but easier to say-- for little people. Mom continued to live on the farm--helping where she could. "One cold dark night around midnight, we were combining on Mom's field. The wind was whirling the chaff like a snow storm, when we saw a pair of lights coming across the field toward us. It was Mom with a hot toasted fried egg sandwich and fresh hot coffee. Bless her soul!" Mom's faith would be tried again. But tragically, this time, it was her son- Dick. Who passed away on Dec.03 1992, after a lengthy illness. A sad time for Mom! Mom stayed on the farm until 1997, when she moved to Mitchell Apts. in Lloydminster. In 1998, Mom bought a duplex on 47th Ave. and she could grow flowers. She was happy there, where she could be close to her sister Peggy. She didn't miss the long drive to Eastern Star meetings from the farm. Her short term memory started to fail in1998, so Mom made the decision to move to "The Hemstock." She was quite excited, but when we helped her pack up her things, she was reluctant to leave her pots and pans behind. Mom made many friends at the Hemstock and received excellent care. She so enjoyed attending the Eastern Star Past Matrons meetings held there. As Mom needed more care, she moved to Jubilee Home in December, 2010. It didn't take long for Mom to fit in. Mom was a very social person and once again she made friends with her smile and caring deposition. Mom received loving care from all the staff. Mom's Life: - a few comments from Mom's: friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and health care workers; *her beautiful smile *her caring for others *a helping hand * serving others *feeding family and friends *a lovely lady *very caring *senses those in need *always a smile *a gentle lady *a sweetheart *a humble, graceful lady *fearless spirit To use Mom's own words; "Mom you're a good Joe! In conclusion, I think of Mom's life and I ponder: Her personal strength…. her endless faith….and the blessing of having the loving arms of God- embrace her…. to help her to endure-her personal losses, By propelling her inner spirit;…… to be determined in making life joyous. It is my belief; that Mom was given a "special gift" to make those around her happy and to feel at home. It is in giving-- that we receive.