BETTY HIRD

It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Betty Hird.

Betty is survived by her daughter Tracey; son in law Rick Franklin; son Mark and daughter in law Marlene; along with her beloved grandson Matthew; wife Sara Franklin; and grandson Mark Franklin; and fiancé Kirsty Guenther. Her cherished great grandchildren, Tag, Ayla, Hudson, and Ben. Along with sister Anna; nephews, Scott (Carol), Kelly (Laura); and nieces, Betty and Catherine (John). Also joining in our sorrow is Betty’s best and dearest friend Ina Light; godson Garth (Mylene); honorary nieces, Lisa (Darren) and Laurie (Gary) who are all truly family.

Betty was predeceased by her loving spouse Edward Hird in 2010; her dear sister Eleanor; parents Axel and Evelyn Kruse; in-laws Mary & Jack Hird; along with brother in laws, Harry Gowerluk and Neil Stewart; and great granddaughter Halle.

To know Betty was to love Betty, her smile lite up every room she entered. She had a compassion to volunteer, have fun, strive for excellence, and was always game for an adventure. She loved clothes and fashion, was forward thinking, and oh she loved to dance. Mom was a remarkable role model to her children and friends alike.

Betty was born August 15th, 1935, in Stockton, Manitoba, and was the second daughter to join the Kruse family. The family of four spent time in Portage la Prairie before coming to Winnipeg. Times were tough the first years of Betty’s life with her father away serving in the army, but like most Westenders they made the most of what they had and soon Axel would return, a home would be purchased and baby sister Anna would arrive.

Betty then excelled. She loved to learn and always had her head in a book, or was sewing something to wear. And then she found the world of sports, which opened doors beyond her imagination. She ran track, played basketball and then the curling entered her life. Curling was her passion. Betty was inducted into both the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame for her on ice skills. She proudly was a two time Canadian mixed Champion, and holder of a silver medal from the Canada Games. Many local and provincial bonspiels bear the name of Betty Hird as one of the champs. Curling along side, Gary and Clare DeBlonde, Ernie Bushie, Mike Riley, and Ina Light on the mixed front, and with her curling gals from the Heather Curling Club were memories Mom loved. Mom cherished the life long friendships she made through curling. When it was time to hang up her competitive shoes Betty took on chairing and co-chairing National Curling Events, the Pepsi Jr’s, Scotties, World’s and Brier, and was secretary to the President of Curl Canada.

Betty often joked that Ed said, “Betty if you are going to curl so much you have to pay for the entry fee.” So she got a part time job to fund her curling. Betty spent 40 years working for Reimer Express and their sub company Northern Paint. Later years she moved into the role of Executive Assistant and had to put in a few more hours.

It was her family that Betty loved first and foremost. She adored her older sister Elenor and was devastated with her passing at age 58. They loved to play together as young girls, and upon each marrying and having children ensured that many Sunday dinners and every birthday was celebrated on Winnipeg Avenue, Betty’s home on Consol, or at “Aunie & Gren’s” country home in Kirkness. With twelve years her junior, she and her younger sister Anna were inseparable. Betty was very proud of all Anna’s accomplishments, and although she wasn’t happy when Anna moved to Roblin Manitoba, she admired her following her dreams and loved watching her excell in all her endeavours in community and Church.

No doubt her greatest love was to fall for one tall strapping Eddie Hird. They met at the Weston Community Center, as he just happened to be the best friend of her best friend Ina’s boyfriend Ron Light. It didn’t take long to see they were meant to be. Ed loved sports, and soon acquired a taste for curling (not sure he had a choice in that matter) but he did end up loving curling as much as Betty did. They settled for a short time in Weston before moving to their East Kildonan home which they owned for 54 years. In 1970 they began their Cottage Life adventure by purchasing a run down cottage on a beautiful piece of property on Long Pine Lake. Once the power came in the old cottage was torn down and the labour of love to build began. Many happy times with lake friends were had, and they passed on their love of the lake life to children and grandchildren. The lake is home, and where our hearts all belong.

Betty loved to travel, and took pride that she visited every major City in Canada. In pre-retirement years Betty and Ed travelled to Hawaii, Florida, Texas, Arizona, took a Cruise, and then found Palm Springs. After renting for a few years they purchased their winter getaway in PS in 2005. They loved the time they could spend with new and old friends during the winter months, but were always happy to get home to the “kids”

We were blessed with a Mother who loved us so much. She worried about us night and day. She drove us to all our events, and encouraged all of our dreams. Family dinners were her everything, she loved to cook for days, set a beautiful table, and the more the merrier at dinner made her very happy.

Grams loved Matthew and Mark, they were her cherished gifts, and her sun rose and shone on them. She loved watching them play volleyball (hockey not so much) making their favourite dinner and of course cookies, she baked so many cookies.

We count our blessings Betty was our Mom and Grams. Her memory will live on in us, and we know her and Pops, are having a glass of wine and catching up. They will continue to guide us with the love and legacy they left us with.

The family wishes to thank the care, compassion and kindness of the staff unit 4B Actionmarguerite. At Betty’s request no service will be held, we ask you raise a glass and toast a cheer to a life well lived. If friends so desire please consider a donation to St. Amant Center 440 River Avenue, Winnipeg, a charity dear to Betty.

A special thank you to our dear friends for always asking how Mom was doing, your friendship means the world to us.

Rest in peace Mom,

 you deserve it. 

Betty’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

​

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

​