Obituary - Betty Vinnish

She’s trapped inside the prison walls
That used to be her mind.
The woman that she used to be,
Has long been left behind.
There are times she’s quite alert,
Her memory’s still intact.
Then there are days when she disappears,
And we know it’s not an act.
No longer able to care for herself,
We couldn’t leave her alone.
Her safety had to be assured,
So we placed her in a home.
Good days are when we visit her,
And she calls us by our name.
She’s grateful for the company,
And thankful that we came.
Most of the time it’s difficult,
To see our mom that way.
All we can do is love her now,
As we take life day by day.
By Sheila Anabel


Mrs. Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Violet Vinnish, beloved wife of Mr. William Vinnish, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family at the Riverview Care Centre on Saturday, December 18, 2010, at the age of 82 years. Betty’s journey through life started with her birth January 31, 1928 in Burstall, Saskatchewan. She was one of three children born to proud parents, Fred and Lena May. She was first married to Edwin with whom she had three children, Rita, Debbie and Terry. Her three children and their families would later become her life. Edwin passed away at a young age and she was faced with raising three children on her own. From this time she had to work very hard to provide for them. She was selflessy devoted to her family and home and these were the same qualities that she instilled in her own children. For nearly thirty years she worked as a nursing-aide at the Dan McCharles Auxiliary Hospital. On September 9, 1966, she married her second husband, William Vinnish in Medicine Hat where they made their home. She was a lady who enjoyed the simple things in life. In her earlier years she liked dancing when health permitted. She enjoyed musical TV shows such as Lawrence Welk and later in life liked listening to her favorite country CD’s. Betty will be warmly remembered as someone who always gave what she could from the heart and put others first. Betty will be forever remembered in the hearts of her husband, William; daughters, Rita (Ed) Wittstruck of Prince George, B.C., and her children, Jay (Torrie) Brunn, Steven Brunn, Shawn (Lisa)?Brunn; Debbie (Bob) Watson and their children, Jill Watson, Zach?(Kassy)?Watson; son, Terry (Patricia) Hausauer and their daughter, Jennifer Hausauer-Klepatz (Kevin); step-son, Lewis (Sandy)?Vinnish; three step-grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. Betty will also be remembered by her brother, Bill (Betty)?May of Medicine Hat and brother-in-law, Vern Erman of Maple Creek, SK. She was predeceased by her parents, Fred and Lena May; her first husband, Edwin Hausauer and sister, Eileen?Erman. The family wish to thank the nursing staff at Riverview Care Centre for their friendliness to the family and the loving care they gave to their mother. The family privately paid their respects and placed a carnation with their mother prior to the cremation taking place. A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at a later date in Maple Creek, SK. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in memory of Betty may be made directly to the Riverview Care Centre Resident Council, 603 Prospect Drive S.W., Medicine Hat, AB. T1A 4C2, or the the Heart &?Stroke Foundation of Alberta, #124, 430 - 6th Avenue S.E., Medicine Hat, AB. T1A 2S8.