Obituary of Elizabeth "Betty" Robertson
Elizabeth Evelyn Robertson passed away at Riverside Health Complex, Turtleford, SK on August 14, 2024 at the age of 85 years.
Betty is survived by: her children, Marlene (Garry) Spenst, Darrell Robertson, Kerry (Star) Robertson, Colin (Eileen) Robertson; daughter-in-law, Michelle Robertson; sister, Mary Mazurek; brothers, Minard Schmidt and John Schmidt; and 5 sisters-in-law, 17 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Betty was predeceased by: her husband, Tom Robertson; sons, Marvin Robertson and Dale Robertson;1 grandson; 1 great granddaughter; numerous siblings; and brothers and sisters-in-law.
A Memorial Service for Betty will be conducted from Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, St Walburg, SK on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 2:00 pm.
The interment will be held at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery, St. Walburg, SK.
Donations in memory of Betty may be made to Riverside Health Complex (Turtleford) or Catholic Cemetery Fund (Assumption).
Card of Thanks ~ The Family would like to thank Dr. Shabnam Shafiee for her compassion, and perseverance in referring mom to the specialists she needed at the onset of her illness, as well as the Palliative Staff at the Riverside Health Complex in Turtleford for Mom’s care.
To Joel McCaw and the staff at McCaw’s Funeral Service a heartfelt appreciation for their compassion, direction and assistance in planning Mom’s Service.
We would also like to thank Father Frederick Akah and the Choir for Mom’s Mass and the CWL for providing lunch following the Mass in St. Walburg.
To all those who stopped in, brought food & flowers, shared memories and left Cards of Condolences and Donations, thank you for your kindness.
Appreciatively,
Marlene & Garry, Darrell, Kerry & Star, Colin & Eileen and Families.
Betty Robertson Eulogy ~
Mom was born to Simon and Veronica Schmidt on their homestead near Fairholme Saskatchewan on April 4, 1939. Mom was the middle of 14 children born into the Schmidt family and was predeceased by one infant brother.
Mom took her Grade 1-8 locally. She moved to North Battleford to live with her oldest sister Margaret and attended High School at the Convent in North Battleford graduating in 1957. She began working at the Saskatchewan Hospital after graduation alongside a high school friend.
It was there that she met another co-worker, Tom Robertson. They were married on July 5, 1958. They lived in North Battleford for 2 years and it was there that myself and my brother Marvin were born. They left the city and rented a small farm near Fairholme, SK.
In the spring of 1963 Mom and Dad purchased a farm North of St. Walburg where mom resided until her passing.
Dale and Darrell were born a couple of months after moving to St Walburg. Raising twins kept mom extra busy and so we were fortunate to have the help of mom’s sister Rose and brother Gus who lived with us until they each married and began their own life stories and families.
Our family grew to include Kerry in 1969 and Colin in 1971. That’s right, 5 brothers.
Over the years Mom worked off and on parttime and fulltime in the Hospital and Long-term Health Facility in St. Walburg. Dad passed away in May of 1996. Mom continued working until 1999. She truly enjoyed her retirement at home with her flowers and yard.
Her time on the farm over the years included many aspects. Wife, hired hand, off farm income earner and MOM. All had their challenges, but none more than being a mom to 6 kids. Being a mom is a lifetime assignment full of cheers and sometimes tears.
I am sure if each one of us spoke of all the things we did, didn’t do and should or shouldn’t have done we could collectively write enough books to fill a section in a library. Our memories and stories would hold different perspectives and be grouped into 3 eras that align based on our age gaps. The Grandchildren all have their own special and unique Grandma stories and memories as well.
Mom was an avid NHL Hockey fan. When the Game was on TV and you were watching it with her, depending on who was playing, it was like you were watching 2 different games. Seriously. One Christmas an anonymous gift showed up under the Christmas tree for her. A referee sweater with her name on the back and a whistle. No one ever owned up to that one.
We are all thankful to Mom for the values she instilled in us:
A sense of Family; it isn’t something, it is everything. You show up for each other. Mom always hosted Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving. It was about Family.
Values like honesty and integrity were paramount to her.
Mom never tolerated profanity, she felt there were enough words in our vocabulary to utilize without resorting to swearing. So, to all our spouses who always wondered why we use words bigger than “marmalade” in our day-to-day speech, thank your mother-in-law.
Mom recently told me she had a good life, but not always an easy one. As mom’s health began to fail, and being a very independent person, she never wanted to be a burden to us, but we all want her to know that it was an honor to be there with and for her until the end of her journey in this world. It is now up to us to share our stories of her, and keep her memories alive in our hearts.
Rest in peace Mom. We got this.
