Obituary of Lizzie Brebner Neufeld

Please click here to view the livestream of the service

Lizzie Brebner Neufeld (Duncan) passed away peacefully on March 25, 2022 at the age of 100 years.  Lizzie, better known as Betty, is survived by son Ian (Kay) and their children Patrick (Paula) and Brennan, and son Angus (Shelley) and their children Hannah and Spencer. Betty is survived by her brother Patrick “Tabby” along with numerous nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents Peter and Elsie Duncan, brothers James “Gaffer” and Andy and her sister Elsie.

Betty was born January 5, 1922, at Northfield, Aberdeenshire Scotland and grew up on a farm near the village of Crovie along the North Sea.  After completing secondary school, a life changing family decision was made, and she left the family farm and enrolled in nursing school in Edinburgh. It was there that she made lifelong friends and her passion to explore the world ignited. 

Shortly after World War 2, Betty and her friends set out to nurse in Australia, India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand to name a few.  In New Zealand, she worked as a “fly-in” public health nurse.  She flew into the then remote towns of Rotorua and Dunedin to deliver babies and tend to the public health concerns of the communities. Up until her passing she was still able to sing the Māori songs she learned in Rotorua.

After leaving New Zealand and returning to Scotland, she set out on her next adventure, a trip to Canada.  It was the clever recruiting tactics of Tommy Douglas that encouraged Betty and her friends to make the journey to Saskatchewan. After a short stay in Moose Jaw, she moved to Saskatoon for a new job.  It is there that Betty met her future husband Art in 1956 at the downtown Legion in Saskatoon.

Art and Betty were married on April 6th, 1957 in New Pitslago, Scotland near Betty’s family’s farm.  In 1961, she became a mother to son Ian and three years later to a second son, Angus.  Betty and Art were very social and enjoyed spending time with their friends in Saskatoon. Betty loved to host parties and play piano for their friends, go camping in the mountains, soaking at Radium Hot Springs and traveling to Scotland, Hawaii, Asia and Europe.  Betty always encouraged her children to save their money and use it for traveling the world. 

Betty was keen to see her sons take part in sports. Though she never participated in sports herself, she ensured they were involved in as many sports and activities as possible. Betty enjoyed watching her sons excel at football, and swimming.  Her strong Scottish accent and pride were always evident as she cheered them on.  As Betty’s family grew to include 4 grandchildren - Patrick, Brennan, Hannah, and Spencer – you could be assured that she would be proudly cheering them on at every event.  And much to the delight and confusion of those around her, she often switched to Doric, the language she grew up speaking.

Betty was a generous and determined woman who worked hard and was always up for an adventure. With Art, her husband of 64 years, she enjoyed a great life and left a lasting legacy. She taught us to be adventurous, bold and to enjoy our journey along the road of life.

Betty’s family would like to thank Bill Horbach and his staff at College Park II Retirement Residence and Dr. Brian Laursen, for the exceptional care they provided Betty and Art over the years.

Donations in Mom’s memory may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion or to the Canadian Cancer Society.

A Private Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. To view the livestream of the service, please click on the link above.