Obituary of Beatrice Elizabeth Armitage (nee Carr)

July 23, 1928 - Jasper, Alberta

January 12, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Beatrice Armitage of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at the age of 94 years.

Betty grew up along the bank of the Fraser River on her parent’s ranch - The Half Diamond M - in Tete Jaune, BC. Upon graduation from high school in Victoria, BC; Betty was employed as a secretary by Cominco Ltd. and transferred to their plant in Calgary where she met her husband, Harold. They were married in 1950, Harold often said she only agreed to marry him to get out of paying her bowling wagers.

In 1963, for her first plane trip, she flew solo with four children aged 10 months to 11 years in tow, travelling to Palembang, Sumatra to join Harold on his first overseas job. This began their lifelong love of travel and Betty’s aversion to flying.

Over the next 20 years she provided a welcoming home in Indonesia, Pakistan, Libya and Borneo. Upon retirement, Betty and Harold continued to travel to the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and South Africa. At 78, she canoed the Bowron Lakes with her boys and their friends and was always up for an experience. Betty also enjoyed volunteering, especially her time teaching ESL. Betty's quiet grace and genuine interest in people left an enduring impression on everyone that met her. Betty's ability to be present and enjoy the simplest things around her was inspiring. Her parting words would be to never wish your life away, not even for a moment. She will be missed. We'd like to think somewhere Mom and Dad are together again playing backgammon and planning their next adventure.

Betty was predeceased by her husband Harold, parents Stan and Jessie Carr, and her brother Tommy. She is survived by her sons, Keith, Scott, Hal (Meggie), and Wes; two grandchildren (mother Susan), Ian (Megan) and Alison (Parker); three great-grandchildren, Ella, Charlotte, and Poppy; her sisters-in-law Thelma and Norene; along with nieces, Neysa (Morris) and Dena (Richard); and nephews, Randell (Freda) and Jami; and their families.

At Betty’s request there will be no service. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, 15 Colonel Baker Place N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 4Z3 Telephone: (403) 261-7219, www.cnib.ca, a charity close to Betty’s heart.

In living memory of Beatrice Armitage, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.