Obituary of Elizabeth Margaret NIXON

October 25, 1919 – Maple Creek, Saskatchewan December 19, 2015 – Calgary, Alberta Elizabeth passed away on December 19, 2015 at the age of 96 years. Betty’s family moved to Calgary when she was a child. She attended Sunalta School then Central Collegiate Institute (high school). After graduation, Betty went into nurses training at the Calgary General Hospital. She nursed during the war at a military hospital in Innisfail, before transferring to the Colonel Belcher Hospital in Calgary. It was there, while working as an operating room nurse, that she met her future husband, Dr. James R. Nixon. They were married in 1946 and began raising a family. She was a devoted wife and mother. The youngest child of five, and the only girl, Betty was encouraged by her brothers to be active in sports. In her early years she was an avid golfer and also enjoyed canoeing, horseback riding, and hiking. She and her nursing friends spent much of their free time in these pursuits. After marriage, four active children soon kept her busy, but she still managed to pursue some of her own interests. An avid reader, Betty enjoyed poetry, fiction, and current affairs and she was an excellent conversationalist. She belonged to a reading club for many years. She enjoyed curling and playing bridge in the winter and gardening, camping and hiking in the summer. Later in life she took up spinning and weaving and her creative talents blossomed. Many people have textiles or knitted garments created by Betty. For close to 20 years Betty coordinated a group of friends and neighbours to volunteer weekly at the Salvation Army Grace Hospital, where they made dressings which were sterilized and used in surgical procedures. She also volunteered with hospital and church auxiliaries to help raise money for those institutions. Betty was a long time member of the Heritage Weavers and hosted the Northside Spinners for close to 40 years. Betty’s was a life well lived. She took a genuine interest in people and enjoyed many lifelong friendships. She was a lifetime learner, always exploring new interests and hobbies. Betty is survived by children Penny Hajdu & Les (Cayley, AB), Jim Nixon & Trish Lester (Calgary, AB), Nancy Crosley & Bob (Canmore, AB) and Robin Nixon (Okotoks, AB); grandchildren Julie McLean & Roberto Vardabasso (Cayley, AB), Kate Monaghan (Calgary, AB), Haley Ozar & Mike (Prince Albert, SK), Keith Crosley & Erin (Calgary, AB), Lindsye Dunbar & Derik (Okotoks, AB); Dave Crosley & Thu (Calgary, AB), Dan Murfin & Christina (Beaumont, AB), Amy Nixon (Kelowna, BC) and Nancy Nixon (Calgary, AB); great-grandchildren Sam McLean, Jaime Monaghan, Daellen Heppner, Will McLean, Gracia Jolie, Grace McLean, Owen Ozar, Lucy Monaghan, Alex Ozar, Drew Dunbar, Cash Dunbar, Eric Crosley, Lucas Crosley, Tess Crosley. Friends Liz Harder, Wanda Weber, Eleanor Berlin, Margaret Taylor. Betty was predeceased by her husband Dr. James R. Nixon. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The Nixon Family would like to thank the many healthcare professionals who looked after Mom in the last year of her life. We would particularly like to thank the staff and residents at Extendicare Hillcrest who welcomed Mom into their community and to her care givers who showed great kindness and compassion in the care of our mother. Betty was a gentle, gracious, courageous, independent and compassionate woman who will be greatly missed by her family and friends. From “Address to the Unco Guild” by Robert Burns Who made the heart, ’tis He alone Decidedly can try us, He knows each chord its various tone, Each spring its various bias; In living memory of Elizabeth Nixon, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, Telephone: 403-276-2296.