Obituaries

Isabel Mary Betz (neé Barker)

20 January, 1935 — 22 June, 2026

Isabel Betz passed away at the age of 91 years in hospital surrounded by the love of her family. She is predeceased by her husband Bill and is survived by her daughter Michele (Thomas) Lepp, and her sons Mark (Katy Gardner), Vaughn (Corinne Wolfe-Betz), Patrick (Karen), and Grant (Tracy). She also leaves her beloved grandchildren Erin (Stephen Radford), Heather (Bily Brown), and Christian (Mackenzie Gray) Lepp; Victoria, Katherine, Emily, Tierney, Teighyn, Brodie, Avery, and Tye Betz; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Isabel was born in Glenboro, MB, to parents Ernest and Alice Barker (neé Young), the youngest of five children, all by whom she is predeceased: Jack, Gerald, Donald, and Shirl (Neilsen). “Babe,” as she was affectionately known to her family, had a happy childhood and adolescence on the family farm and developed, owing to the one-room school’s piano, a love of music and of that instrument that was an abiding feature of her life. She enjoyed playing in old-time bands from her teenage years through her early 20s, and later in life rejoined some for reunions. After completing her certificate at Manitoba Teachers’ College, Isabel initially taught at schools in rural Manitoba before moving to Winnipeg to join staff at Linwood School in St. James. It was at Linwood that Isabel and Bill, also a teacher, met and courted; they married in 1961 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Winnipeg, where they remained parishioners for the next 60+ years.

Upon starting a family in 1964, Isabel took a break from teaching to become a full-time homemaker but remained in education—after many years of night classes she completed and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg in 1985. She had by that time resumed being an educator, first as a substitute teacher at Strathmillan before moving to part-time and then full-time teaching at a number of elementary schools in St. James Assiniboia School Division No. 2. Her teaching career was celebrated upon her retirement in 1995, the same year she and Bill acquired a modest second residence in Donna, Texas, which they made their own for a decade of wonderful winters there. The purchase of acreage and the building of a beautiful home in Headingley, MB, in 2006 was another dream fulfilled, and they were blessed with 15 happy years living there close to children, in-laws, and grandchildren.

The small cottage at Granite Lake, ON, that Isabel and Bill bought in 1974 led to countless family summers (and some Christmases) spent there among close friends and neighbors, joyous times difficult to overstate. Isabel enjoyed several leisure pursuits, including curling and golf, though her passion remained music. Her treasured Heintzman upright piano was the centrepiece of every family living room, and in retirement she volunteered her playing (and singing) talents regularly for many years at Winnipeg care homes, including Golden West, Charleswood, and Oakview. The pillars of Isabel’s musical life were faith, duty, fun, and love of family and friends. She will be remembered and missed by all those she knew and touched during her life.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life and Funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church on Wednesday, 29 July, 2026, at 10:30am.

A special thank you to all the staff at Golden West Centennial Lodge and to her cherished Comfort Keepers “companions” for the care, compassion, and kindness they gave to Isabel in her final years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honouring Isabel’s memory with a donation to Siloam Mission, Winnipeg.