OBITUARIES
Grace Elizabeth
Hodgkinson
- On Wednesday, February 9, 2000, Grace Elizabeth Hodgkinson,
generally known as "Betty," passed away in Weyburn
General Hospital. Betty was born in Ontario on August 22, 1901.
She was the only child of Edward and Margaret Cumming. The family
came to Brooks, Alberta, in 1913. They came west for her father's
health, and a few years later moved to Sintaluta, SK. Betty's
childhood was not easy. Born with deformed feet, she wore corrective
shoes. Betty leaned to play her father's violin, and dreamed
of growing up to be a nurse. Her education was interrupted by
illnesses, including a stint of "at home" treatments
for T.B. Betty was 24 years old when she finished Grade 12, and
she took teacher training the next year. Her first school was
in Summerberry, and the following year she as in the primary
room of the Grenfell school. Betty had become an accomplished
violinist, and played in the Valley Symphony Orchestra, and she
had met Les Hodgkinson. Among Betty's souvenirs are many letters
and clippings from school inspectors, school boards, parents,
and even students that indicate what a capable and devoted teacher
she was. Betty remained in Grenfell for 13 years. She had attended
summer school, and attained a Primary Specialist Certificate,
and she had become engaged to Les. Les and Betty were married
in Moose Jaw on August 1, 1942 and they took up residence in
Regina. With all her credentials and references Betty lost no
time in getting a place in a Regina primary classroom. The Hodgkinsons
lived in Regina for four busy years. This pair of talented musicians
had worked out a novelty routine for violin and fiddle which
formed part of the entertainment which they donated to many worthy
causes. In the back of Betty's 'bride's book' are listed 87 locations
where, in 1945 and 1946, they made public appearances in dozens
of Regina clubs, hospitals, churches, schools, halls, and in
14 outlying towns and villages. Betty loved to relive the thrill
of being personally thanked by the Governor General of Canada,
the Honourable George Vanier, and Mrs. Vanier who were guests
at a state banquet hosted by Saskatchewan government officials
where Les and Betty were invited to entertain. When the Hodgkinsons
came to Weyburn in 1947, they were soon at home with their jobs,
their church work, lodges, bridge and their music. Betty taught
the next 12 years at Haig School. Her parents came to live with
them, and they bought a home for Les' mother and disabled brother.
When Betty inherited this property she gave it to the Salvation
Army. After a broken wrist put an end to Betty's violin playing,
she took up other interests. She assumed sponsorships for two
six-year-old blind boys in Korea, and she took a university summer
class for the next five summers to further her education. Betty
received her Standard Certificate in 1957 at the age of 56, and
took on two more foster children: a six-year-old girl and an
11-year-old girl in Athens, Greece. In 1960, Betty was transferred
to Elgin school where she taught until her retirement in 1965.
She continued with fostering needy children, and her photo album
contains pictures of a total of 17 foster children in various
areas of the world, including Greece, Thailand, Lebanon, India,
and Korea. Betty loved children and children loved her. The Hodgkinsons
did quite a lot of traveling, having made trips to England, Switzerland,
Greece, and Italy, plus a cruise along the coast of Norway to
view the midnight sun. On a second visit to Greece, Les and Betty
were guests of the family whose daughter they had sponsored through
university, and who later became the Greek Ambassador to Washington,
D.C. Edward Cumming, her father, died on April 24, 1952, her
mother Margaret died on February 20, 1972. Betty's husband, Les,
passed away in London, England, on August 19, 1973. As the years
and failing health took their toll, Betty lived in the Special
Care Home, in Souris Valley, and in Parkway Lodge at the time
of her death. In October of 1994, Betty took the big step of
dispersing some of her money in various directions. With the
help of friends who wrote cheques and addressed envelopes, Betty
signed, and her power of attorney co-signed, 60 cheques to distant
relatives, friends, caregivers and 24 charities to a total of
over $100,000. It was always her wish to continue doing so. Betty's
whole life was a saga of GIVING-of herself, her love, and her
wealth - and of patiently, gratefully, graciously, and faithfully
receiving what life had to give her. Betty delighted in the frequent
visits made to her by many friends, and between visits there
was the CNIB's tape recorder with talking books that included
the complete Bible and weekly tapes of the United Church services
which she received weekly over the last 11 years of her life.
Betty came to believe that being in a crowd made breathing difficult,
and she remained secluded in her room more and more-except when
someone took her out for Kentucky Fried Chicken and dressing!
Her last trip out was in July of 1998. Being childless and herself
an only child, Betty had no close relatives. Her only first cousin
is Mattie Monroe of Owen Sound, ON. The prearranged funeral was
held on Friday, February 12 in the chapel of Fletcher's Funeral
Chapels. The funeral was officiated by Rev. Bill Corkum of Grace
United Church with interment in Hillcrest Cemetery. Lunch after
the service was provided by the United Church ladies in the church
basement, and there was a display of many articles and papers
from Betty's collection of memorabilia. Arrangements were entrusted
to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.
- Ada Margaret Bell
- Ada Margaret Bell of Weyburn passed away January 19, 2000
at the General Hospital, Weyburn. She was predeceased by her
husband Archie and two brothers Lindberg and Bjorn Nelson. She
leaves to mourn her two sons: Brian (Linda) of Saskatoon; Ron
(Jayne) of Carlyle and one daughter Alice (Art Dickie) of Powell
River, BC. Two sisters: May Pegg (Dan) of Richmond, BC and Thelma
Lisk of Regina; six grandchildren: Sarah and Andrew, Connor and
Renee, and Patrick and Michael; as well as nieces and nephews
and a special friend Yvonne (Dave) Geiger. A memorial service
was held January 22 from Knox Presbyterian Church, Weyburn, with
Rev. John Ferrier officiating. Interment followed at the Gap
View Cemetery, Forget. Ada was born in Winnipeg, MB and grew
up in the Gap View district, north of Forget, SK. She graduated
from the Weyburn Mental Hospital in 1940 working in several hospitals,
including Weyburn, Unity and Sintaluta. In 1950 she married Archie
and they moved to the Nelson farm in the Gap View district in
1952. Ada resided there until Archie's passing in 1991, then
moved to Bison Manor in Weyburn. For all who knew her, Ada was
the epitome of kindness. She welcomed all to her home and heart
"without question" and gave of herself in every way.
She so loved her family and friends, and cared for countless
numbers of animal pets on the farm; she openly accepted everyone
as they were and was never known to criticize. Her firm belief
was "If you can't say anything good about someone or something,
then don't say anything at all!" and she abided by it faithfully.
Ada will be sadly missed by all who were fortunate to have known
her. Donations can be made to the charity of choice.
- Bernice Elizabeth Sorrell
- On Saturday, February 12, 2000, Bernice Elizabeth Sorrell,
late of Weyburn, passed away at Souris Valley Extended Care Center,
at the age of 90 years. Predeceased by her mother and father,
William and Jannette McAdoo; and her husband, Alfred in 1979.
Bernice is survived by one daughter, Patricia and her husband
David De Silva of Hamilton, Bermuda. Bernice was born in Cavan
Township, Durham County, Ontario, on November 2, 1909. She came
to Weyburn in about 1915 with her mother to join the family of
Harry Sutcliffe to assist with the upbringing of his two children.
She attended Weyburn Collegiate Institute and the College of
Commerce in Saskatoon. On November 2, 1932 she married Alfred
Sorrell in Weyburn. They lived in Weyburn until 1952 when they
moved to Regina. Bernice had sung in the Grace United Church
choir while in Weyburn, and continued to sing soprano when she
moved to Regina. She became the church secretary for a number
of years at Carmichael United Church. Music was her first love,
after her family, and she was an accomplished pianist. She also
enjoyed reading and cooking. Bernice always enjoyed her bridge
games. She always looked forward to her trips to Bermuda, and
she spent the winters there with Pat and her husband, David.
A memorial service was held Friday, February 18 at 2:00 p.m.
from Grace United Church, Weyburn, with Rev. Jack Oglesby and
Bill Corkum officiating ministers. Interment followed in Hillcrest
Cemetery, Weyburn. For friends so wishing, donations may be made
in her memory to Souris Valley Extended Care Centre 1BS, c/o
Marnell Cornish, Box 2003, Weyburn, Sask. S4H 2Z9. Arrangements
were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn.
- Lydia Rosina Dreger
- On Friday, February 11, 2000 Lydia Rosina Dreger, late of
Lang, passed away at Weyburn General Hospital at the age of 83
years. Predeceased by her parents, Emil and Theophilia Tonn;
two brothers: Frederick and Arnold Tonn; an infant sister, Helen
Tonn and by her husband, Arthur A. Dreger in 1998. Lydia is survived
by her children: Gail Dreger of Lang; and Theodore (Janie) Dreger
of Calgary; two grandchildren: Julianna Dreger and Jeffrey Dreger
both of Calgary, AB; one brother, Harry (Alvina) Tonn of Weyburn;
two sisters-in-law: Ruth Doney of Vancouver, BC; and Marjorie
(Warren) Finney of Kelowna, BC; as well as numerous nieces and
nephews. A memorial service was held Thursday, February 17 at
2:00 p.m. from Lang Town Hall with Pastor Ron Bestvater officiating.
Interment will be at a later date. All those in attendance were
considered to be honorary pallbearers. For friends so wishing,
donations may be made in her memory to a charity of the donor's
choice. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels
Ltd., Weyburn.
The
Weyburn Review
Box 400, 904 East Avenue
Weyburn, SK
S4H 2K4
Phone: (306) 842-7487
Fax: (306) 842-0282
E-mail: weyburn.review@sk.sympatico.ca
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Review (1987) Ltd.
