Obituary of Elizabeth McGregor

Elizabeth (Betty) was born in Birch Hills Saskatchewan, the youngest child of Earl W. & Sarah Jane Lumley. Betty’s father was a pharmacist in Birch Hills and she spent many hours helping him and learning the trade.  Upon graduation from high school she decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and attended the University of Saskatchewan.  In 1951 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy.  Her first “pharmacist” job out of university was a summer position at Matheson’s Drug on Victoria Avenue in Saskatoon.  

In the fall of 1951 she worked for Al Peters in his drug store on Avenue A & 33rd Street and while working there, she met her future husband Thomas Campbell McGregor.  Betty was wooed by this handsome young man in a service uniform who used to hang out at the drug store.  They were married August 1, 1953 and for the first few years of their marriage, Betty was instrumental in helping Tom develop the Dairy Bar while raising four children . . . Kevin Bruce, Thomas Mark, Sandra Diane and the baby Linda Elizabeth.  

During the early years of their marriage they both liked travelling and spent some winters in Florida. Summers were spent at Pike Lake which was near and dear to their hearts. They went to England, bus tours in the southern US and spent many miles “on the road” as they loved to drive to various vacation spots. In later years, Phoenix was a favourite spot as was Hilton Head where many sandcastles were built on the beach with their grandchildren.  Betty also found the time to be heavily involved in church, community, school activities and coaching the girl’s softball teams.  She was involved with Churchill Home & School Association, St Martin’s Church, United Church Women and St Martin’s Sunday school.  She was a member of the hand bell choir at St Martin’s for over 30 years. She was a member of the Ladies CosmoPals and served on the Board of the Jubilee Residents.  She played badminton and golf and served on the ladies executive committee.

In their semi-retirement they gravitated back to Pike Lake where many more summer weekends were spent there with the grandchildren, driving the Mustang convertible and maintaining the cottage.  After 40 years of living in the home they built on McKinnon Avenue, Betty & Tom moved into a gated community and enjoyed 15 years there.  Tom & Betty then moved into Preston Park November 2012 to enjoy the independent living that the facility offered.  Betty was very happy not to have to cook another meal!  Sadly Tom passed away in March 2013 and as much as Betty missed him, she had many friends to enjoy her remaining years with at Preston Park playing cards, singing, drumming, partaking in happy hour and Ice cream days.  Some of Betty’s favourite pastimes were playing bridge, playing the piano, badminton, golf, tennis and Sunday dinners.

It is with profound sadness that we announce her passing . . . the “circle of life” has ended.  Betty was so positive and tough, never complained, had such endurance and was such a joy to all that knew her and were a part of her life.  Just shy of her 95th birthday, she used to comment on the things she had witnessed and was a part of during those years . . . no other generation will see as much change in life as Betty did.   

Elizabeth McGregor (Lumley) who was  predeceased by her husband Tom and her son Mark, was known as Betty and affectionately known as Betts.  She will be missed by her family  . . . Bruce McGregor, Nancy McGregor, Thomas, Sara, Devin & baby Cameron, Sandy McBean & Bruce, Brayden, Kevan and Linda McGregor.

We will miss her forever and love her for always.