Elizabeth (Betty) Louise O’Brien (nee Butler)
1936 - 2023
Elizabeth (Betty) Louise O’Brien passed away peacefully on November 6, 2023, at the age of 87 due to complications of COVID, surrounded by the love of her family and caregivers at The Meadows in Swift Current, SK.
Betty was born on April 10, 1936 to Charles and Louise Butler. She was the second of three daughters. She met Ronald O’Brien while they were attending high school together in Biggar, SK, and were married on June 20, 1956.
Ron & Betty raised their two children in various locations across northern Saskatchewan while pursuing Ron’s career as a commercial bush pilot, settling for a time in La Ronge, SK. There, Betty pursued her own career with the Department of Natural Resources, where she worked for 22 years until she retired.
Betty pursued a variety of hobbies throughout her life which included gourmet cooking, singing, playing golf, curling, camping, and hopping on the back of their Harley Davidson motorcycle to road trip through the US and various parts of Canada. She was a vibrant, compassionate, caring, and inclusive person to everyone she crossed paths with throughout her life.
Betty will be dearly missed by her beloved husband of 67 years, Ron, their two children, Patrick O’Brien (Anne) and Colleen Roberts (Bob) and their families, as well as her sister, Ede Hirsch. She was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Louise Butler, and her sister, Eileen Hallberg.
The staff at House 22 treated our mom like family and Mom’s quality of life was greatly enhanced by their love and compassion. We are forever grateful and thankful to the staff of The Meadows. We also want to acknowledge her physician, Dr. DeKlerk who was greatly involved in her care, attentive, and empathetic for many years.
Betty’s funeral took place amidst the love of her family and friends on Saturday, November 11th, 2023, at Christ the Redeemer Church with Father Ferdinand Officiating and Decon David Hagel providing beautiful music. Her family would like to thank all those who attended in person and online. For those wishing, the funeral mass can be viewed on Youtube (search for CTR Parish Swift Current).
As many know, Betty was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015 and was a champion for Parkinson fundraising events. She was also an active member of the Silver Wings Committee to secure a wheelchair accessible van for the residents of the Meadows. If friends and family feel they would like to make a donation in Betty’s memory, either of the following organizations would be greatly appreciated.
The Meadows Auxiliary - Silver Wings Access Van
c/o Eleanor Forge Sec.-Treasurer
308-230 Lister Kaye Cres.
Swift Current, Saskatchewan
S9H 0A2
Meadows Auxiliary now accepts e-transfer: meadowsauxd@gmail.com
Parkinson Canada https://www.parkinson.ca/
4211 Yonge Street, Suite 316
Toronto, On
M2P 2A9
1-888-664-1973
Our family chain is broken
And nothing seems the same
But as God calls us one by one
The chain will link again.
Arrangements Entrusted To: Warren's Funeral Home. For further information please call 1-306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members on the tribute wall.