Obituary Overview
Betty Alison Velpel
With love and deep sadness the family of Betty Velpel announces her peaceful passing on Wednesday, September 6, 2018.
She was the beloved wife of Jack, mother of the Rev. Canon Philip Velpel and his wife Dr. Donna Snyder and their children, Mary (Mark) and Philip Jr. (deceased) of Niagara Falls and daughters, Sharon (Cathy and husband Abe), Marilynn, Valerie (husband Glenn Chestley) and their children Brett (Karen), Ashleigh (David) and Joelle (Phil). Betty had 10 great- grandchildren (Eleanor, Fiona, Thomas, Addison, Zoey, Carter, Justin, Blaine, Michael, Jordan) and 3 great –great- grandchildren Justyce, Pierce and Zaydie. She was so very proud of them all.
Betty was predeceased by her adopted parents Alice and Syd Relihan, her mother Vina Ufland, her loving husband Jack (2002), son-in-law Gord (2009), and her beloved grandson Philip (2014)
Born in Winnipeg in1923, Betty started Grade 1 when Glen Elm School opened, and then attended Lord Selkirk and St. John’s High. She worked at Eaton’s Mail Order as an office assistant and comptometer operator before marrying Jack. Jack and her were married Oct. 2, 1943 and in 1944, they moved to Vancouver where son Philip was born, moving back to Winnipeg in 1945. She was a dedicated, active member of the United Church and UCW. She volunteered her time and expertise with many charitable organizations, holding fundraising teas in her home and delivering Meals on Wheels. Betty was also very involved in Jack’s businesses and his endeavors. Once he retired, horse racing was a passion of theirs and they travelled with their horses to various racetracks in Montreal, Saskatoon, Regina and Phoenix. Phoenix was their winter home which they enjoyed for over 25 years and where they made many dear friends. Betty also loved her many years at the cottage at Grand Beach where she was very active in community life and in the early years helped Jack run the merry-go-round. Betty was a lifelong learner and at age 84 purchased and learned how to use a laptop and navigate a tablet. She could mend anything, nurse sickly plants back to life and loved to crochet making a variety of creative, beautiful items for friends and family. With her quick wit and mastery of words, she enjoyed the challenge of crossword puzzles and would persevere until every puzzle was completed.
She was a gentle, loving soul who was loved by all and will be dearly missed.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at North Kildonan United Church 174 Pentland Street, Winnipeg MB with Rev. Marc Whitehead officiating. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Riding for the Disabled or to the Humane Society.
Mom’s words – “Good-bye my family, my life has passed; I loved you all to the very last. Weep not for me, but courage take, Love for each other, for my sake. For those you love, don’t go away. They walk beside us every day.”
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Betty Alison Velpel 2018..
Décès pour la Ville: West St Paul, Province: Manitoba
