Obituary of Elizabeth Grumbly

On Monday, December 29, 2013, Betty peacefully slipped away, with family at her side. Betty was predeceased by her husband Harvey; parents Tekla and Paulo Derkach; brothers John and Michael (in infancy), brother-in-law Steve Zaharia, sisters-in-law Victoria Derkach and Anne Derkach; nephew Vincent Derkach and niece Jessica Melnychuk. Remaining to mourn her loss but relieved she is at peace are her siblings, brothers Louie, Mike (Mary) and William (Delores) Derkach and sisters Annie Zaharia and Katie Krueger. She will also be missed by sisters-in-law Elsie Kell and Kathleen Grumbly, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. Betty was born on a farm by Hazel Dell, SK. She spent her childhood years in Preeceville. Those were difficult times and Betty became independent at an early age. She lived in Canora then moved to Regina. There she met and married Harvey on September 30, 1948. Later they moved to a farm by Pense, and enjoyed many years together until Harvey’s passing in 2001. Betty remained on the farm until 2006 then returned to Regina. She spent 25 years working as a cashier at Safeway, upgraded her skills, then moved to an office position at MacDonald’s Consolidated. She enjoyed her work and spoke positively of fellow employees and management. Betty had a zest for life. She was a very social person and maintained relationships with many friends, some since childhood. She and Harvey travelled extensively, especially through the states, visiting relatives, touring casinos and taking fishing trips with family and friends. They went square dancing, curling, enjoyed card playing and were staunch Roughrider supporters. She was actively involved in the Pense and Stoney Beach communities, helping with local fundraising events and taking part in festivities. Betty was a skilled gardener. She grew an assortment of fruits, flowers and vegetables and loved trying new varieties. She took special pride in a wild pin cherry tree she’d nursed from a sapling and her several species of beautiful roses. She generously shared both her knowledge and harvest, and kept a larder filled with the preserves of the bounty she grew. She enjoyed nature and often sat on the back steps in darkness, listening for coyotes and other night creatures, stargazing, and looking for satellites. In quiet moments she liked to read and knit, especially slippers. Though Betty did not have children, she became a “mother hen” to many. Family and friends will carry warm memories of how she took others under her wing and nurtured them along. Her kindness (but not her stubbornness) and generosity will be missed. Funeral Service will be held in Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. At the social following the service there will be an open microphone for any who wish to share their special memories of Betty. Graveside services and interment are tentatively set for Sunday, May 18, 2014. Details will be provided at a later date.