Betty MacRae

Betty Lois MacRae, 96, of Ethelbert,Mb. Passed away peacefully on Dec. 5th,  2024 at Grandview Personal Care Home. 

Betty was born on February 22nd, 1928 in Iroquois Falls, Ontario to Earl and Gwendolyn [Wallace] Niddery. She was the eldest of 5 children and grew up in Timmins, Ontario where she attended school until grade 8.

Betty started her career at Woolworths Department Store in Timmins and was very well liked and respected, so much so, that they made her wedding cake and bought her wedding outfit for her when she married in 1951.  She moved to Toronto with her husband and continued her career in the Toronto store till 1953.  Betty met the love of her life, Doug, at a party in Timmins celebrating his return from WW2. but she was very determined not to marry a miner, so he got a job in Toronto. After 5 years of courtship they finally got married and moved to Toronto. Due to Doug's job Betty travelled to and lived in many places around the world including Ontario, Saskatchewan, northern Manitoba, British Columbia, California and Sri Lanka! Betty was a strong woman who loved to sew and bake. She started, in her home, a chapter for Brownies and Girl Guides and was a coach for the Youth Bowling Canada league in Gillam, Manitoba.

Betty's life was full of the things she loved to do which included cards of any kind and she kept that up till she was 94, passing on down her love of cards to her great grandchildren! She also loved curling, golf, ski-dooing, and  hosting elaborate dinner parties for friends and was also known for her baking and as a decorator of cakes for special occasions like weddings[for her two daughters], birthdays and anniversaries. At the age of 33, in Toronto, Betty got her driver's license and so began a love of driving!  She would drive to Timmins, from wherever they were living, every summer with their 3 kids[Doug had to work]! Later in life, after her husbands passing, she would drive coast to coast by herself or with family even flying at 90  when her daughters took her to Vegas or flying by herself at 91 to Timmins to visit her sisters.  Family was the most important thing to Betty and she loved spending time with them, watching the little great grandchildren swimming and playing was a highlight for her, even this past summer. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren meant the world to her! She has left a hole in our world!

Betty was predeceased by her parents Earl and Gwen Niddery, her husband Doug, her brothers Andy and Earl, her sisters Dorothy and Donna and all her in-laws.

Betty is survived, and lovingly remembered by her children-Norine Dohan[Albert], Colin MacRae and Janice Hubbard. Grandchildren Tanya Dohan, Melissa Dohan[Mark], Kristen Gauthier[Andre], Cassandra MacRae, Della Magnusson[Shawn], Jennifer Johnson[Ken] and Steven Hubbard[Heather]. Great grandchildren Ada, Issy, Jaxon, Griffin, Sammy, Abby, Julie, Johannes and Allison. And many nieces and nephews.

A special thanks goes out to the nurses and staff of the GVPCH for their attentive care of Betty during her 3 year stay with them. 

As per Betty's request, cremation has taken place and a private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

If friends or family so desire, donations may be made in Betty's memory to the charity of one's choice.

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