Elizabeth Jean Adair
February 10, 2022
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Elizabeth Jean Adair (Betty), beloved wife of the late James William Adair, passed away peacefully at the Gainsborough Long Term Care in Gainsborough, Saskatchewan, on February 10, 2022, the day before her 95th birthday.
Betty was born on February 11, 1927, on her parents’ farm in the Martin District near Fairlight, Saskatchewan, the daughter of Guy and Edith Marshall. She grew up on the family farm and received her education at Martin School. She worked as a housekeeper for her future mother-in-law, Annie Adair, prior to going to work as a telephone operator in Maryfield, Saskatchewan.
On June 25, 1946, Betty married James William Adair (Bill) at Moosomin, Saskatchewan, and they made their home on the original Adair farm. They kept an apiary for many years, until Betty developed an allergy to bee stings. They ran a mixed cattle and grain farm, where they raised their four children: Barbara, Gerry, Arthur, and Anne. In 1983, Bill retired from active farming, but they remained on the farm until 1992, when they moved to Maryfield. After Bill passed away in February 1999, Betty remained in her house in Maryfield for many years before moving to an apartment in the Haven and then to the Sunrise Villa as her health started to decline. She moved to Gainsborough Long Term Care in January of 2018 and fit in well. The staff often commented on how much they enjoyed her witty comments and twinkling eyes when she teased them.
Education was important to Betty and, after her children were grown, she completed her Grade 12 by correspondence, sometimes writing her exams alongside high school students. She was especially proud to receive her Grade 12 diploma. Betty was an avid gardener and even after the move to Maryfield, continued to plant a fairly large garden. Knitting was one of her favorite pastimes, and most evenings would see her sitting in the living room, knitting another project; many of her homemade afghans are still in her grandchildren’s homes. When she wasn’t able to continue knitting, she enjoyed her puzzles, especially the word puzzles that her sisters emailed to her. She enjoyed participating in the local women’s clubs (Adair Club and the Fairlight United Church Women’s Club).
Family was very important to Betty and she enjoyed the many family gatherings and spending time with her grandchildren. She taught all of her family to be prompt, especially at meal time, and when it was time for a break to watch her soap opera.
Betty was predeceased by her husband, Bill; her parents, Guy and Edith Marshall; siblings and their spouses: Kathleen (Arthur) Frayling, Wes (Jean), George, Joyce (Wendelin) Herle, Evelyn (Jack) Wise, Myrtle (Joe) Wood, Raymond; her brothers and sisters-in-law: Grace (John) Webster, Blanche (Tom) Stewart, George (Alice), Hester (Ed) Tiffen, Winnifred (Henry) Baker, Edmund (Dorothy), Donald (Betty), Arthur, Alan (Morag); and daughter-in-law, Patricia Adair. She will be sadly missed by her children: Barbara (Ian) Gillespie; Gerry, Arthur (Martha), Anne (Harvey) Huzil; grandchildren: Jim (Gretchen), Darrell, Adina, Paul (Breanna) Gillespie, Tina (Brian) Cowan, Jennifer (Brian) Schafer, Sandra (Trevor) Garrett, Robert (Kerrie), Karen (Chris) Venaas, Angela (Nathan) Holmstrom, Trudy (Darcy) Clarke, Anastacia (Amadou) Bagayoko, Becky (Tyler) Dixon, Bonnie (Evan) Falk, James Rockwell, and Alex Huzil; 25 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren, her sister-in-law – Evelyn Marshall, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A service to celebrate and remember Betty will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church, Maryfield, on Wednesday, April 20th at 2:00 p.m. with Roy Bortolotto officiating. Interment in Maryfield Cemetery.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Elizabeth Jean Adair February 10 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Virden, Province: Manitoba