It is with great sadness that we announce Betty’s passing at the age of 71.
Betty is survived by her daughters Penny Chant (Bill) and grandchildren Dylan, Jonathan and Shelby; Karen Kowatch (Rick Johnson) and grandchildren Ethan Kowatch, Darion Johnson and Haley Nash; her siblings Bill, Ellen (Jim Johnston), Ken (Sandra), Don, Laura, Susan Morgenstern, Jerry (Lill Roth-Lee), Lorna (Dale Brackenbury), Sandra (John Stinson), Linda (Jerry Gardner), John (Oksana Sadchenko); sisters-in-law Phyllis Erchook, Kathleen Kowatch, Gail Moulding and brother-in-law Dale Kowatch; former in-laws Susan, Bruce and Brian and many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
Betty was born in the Stettler Hospital, the second child and first daughter of Francis and Marion Lee (Thurston). She grew up in a family of 12 children on the family farm south west of Donalda. She attended Grades 1 – 11 in Donalda and Grade 12 in Stettler. After High School, she attended Olds College and then took Nurses’ Aide training in Calgary. After graduating as a Nurses’ Aide, she moved to Edmonton and worked at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in 1969 and 1970. She met Reginald Kowatch (Reg) and they were married on July 16, 1971 and moved briefly to Fort Smith. In 1973, after returning to Edmonton, their first daughter Penny was born, followed by Karen in 1975.
They moved to Stettler for a few years when the girls were little and later moved to Red Deer where Betty worked in a long-term care facility for quite a few years. She retired from nursing care in the early 90’s. She then did janitorial work at the GST Building in Red Deer until health issues forced her to retire. Betty was a hard worker with high standards and liked to keep busy so being forced to retire was very frustrating for her.
In 2007, Betty and Reg moved to Gander to be closer to their daughter Penny and family. In 2015, they moved back to Red Deer and resided there where Reg passed away in November of 2018. Due to failing health, Betty moved into Michener Extendicare in early April this year where she lived until entering hospital about a week before she passed away.
Family was everything to Betty. She enjoyed spending time with her girls and especially the grandchildren. Except for the few years that she and Reg spent in Gander, it was difficult for them to be so far away from Penny and her family. Betty enjoyed getting together with her siblings and their families and attended many of the Lee Family reunions, Thurston get togethers and special holidays as she could. Betty and Reg and the girls spent many summers camping at Buffalo Lake at the Boss Hill Campground and Rochon Sands Provincial Park. Betty was a voracious reader and particularly enjoyed reading murder mysteries. She was a very friendly person and enjoyed talking with people wherever she went.
Betty is predeceased by her husband Reg, her parents Marion and Francis Lee, parents-in-law Anne Marie and John Kowatch, brothers-in-law James Mailer, James Kowatch, Ken Kowatch, Daniel Kowatch, Gary Kowatch and sister-in-law Brenda Kowatch.
Betty will be remembered as a loving mother, wife, grandmother, sister and friend. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Due to Covid19 restrictions and a desire for everyone to stay healthy during the pandemic, a celebration of Betty’s life will be held when it is safe to gather.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.