Obituary of Elizabeth (Betty) Lillian BUCHANAN (nee Gerke)

October 8, 1930 - Beverley, Alberta 
June 3, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Elizabeth (Betty) Lillian Buchanan (nee Gerke) passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at the age of 90 years, with her beloved husband, Robert (Bob), by her side. The grace and courage she displayed throughout her life was an inspiration to everyone who knew her. 

Born in Beverly, Alberta, on October 8, 1930, Betty had many passions in life. She was a fantastic cook, and an even better baker. She loved travelling and going to the theatre and had a career in accountancy that spanned over forty years. But her greatest joy was her family. She met Bob at a New Year’s Eve party hosted by Bob’s sister in 1954, beginning a lifelong journey together. Betty and Bob married in 1956 and would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in September of this year. Starting their life together in Edmonton, Betty and Bob soon became the “Clan Buchanan” with the addition of Cathy and twins, Ian and Douglas, before life brought them to Calgary in 1962.

Betty took great interest in her children and grandchildren, always willing to lend a sympathetic ear and offer wise advice. She loved to spoil her grandkids, whether it was knitting them sweaters, hats or mittens, or baking for them - “pink stuff” for Jeffrey, apple tarts for Christian and Alison, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for Dominique, Nanaimo bars for Will and Anna, and gingersnaps for Isabelle.
 
Friends and a sense of community were constants in Betty’s life. Volunteering at Grace Lutheran Church, Heritage Park, Rockyview General Hospital, and Inn From the Cold were important to Betty, as were the friendships she and Bob developed over their nearly sixty years in Calgary.

Betty is deeply missed by her husband Bob, daughter, Cathy (Robert Lindsey) of Huntington Beach, California; sons, Ian (Chris) of Calgary, and Douglas (Marion Lefebvre) of Montreal, Quebec; and her grandchildren, Will, Anna, Jeffrey, Alison, Christian, Dominique, and Isabelle. Betty is also survived by sisters, Gert and Sylvia; brother Ken (Dolores); sister-in-law Sadie Buchanan; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Martha and William; sisters, Helen, Ruth and Adelaine; and brothers, Herbert, Harold, and Donald.

Due to COVID restrictions, A Private Memorial Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church on Saturday, June 12, 2021. Please contact a family member if you wish to view the service. Interment will be at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Betty’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

The family would like to thank Dr. Marc Webster, Nancy, Arainia, Tara and the other members of his wonderful team, as well as the Palliative Care Unit at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, for the exemplary care of Betty over the past six years. Gracious thanks to Ahmed at Elixir Pharmacy and the staff at the Manor Village at Varsity. 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222.  www.albertacancer.ca/memorial. 

In living memory of Elizabeth “Betty” Buchanan, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.