Obituary of Betty Clare Bray

The family of Betty Bray is saddened to announce her passing on September 15, 2016 at her residence. Betty Clare Bray was born January 16, 1928 to Stan and Matilda Wilson in Saskatoon. She happily attended Wilson and King Edward Elementary schools and City Park Collegiate (and often loved to sing the latter’s school song!). She obtained her B.A. at the University of Saskatchewan. Later, in her 50s’, she earned a B.S.W. at the same institution. As a young woman, Betty worked as athletic director at the YWCA in Regina. She enjoyed tennis during leisure time. On the tennis court (and at Stevenson Shoes) she encountered Gordon Bray, with whom she continued to play tennis for many years. As for the shoes, she wore many pairs walking and sprinting through a glorious, strong and deeply loving marriage of over 60 years with Gordon. The two were happy and proud parents to Linda, Cathy, and Scott; grandparents to Laurel Lindgren and Wendy Gillis and Shannon and Robyn Bray. Grandma also felt lucky to be a great-grandma to Jack Lindgren. Mom was a happy person who used this energy and attitude toward many volunteer hours and for cultivating and maintaining numerous excellent friendships. Great get-togethers occurred around the pool and at memorable house parties. Betty had satisfying volunteer relationships and served on many boards including YWCA, … nationally and locally; the Mendel Art Gallery, Persephone Theatre and as lay representative to the Saskatchewan Review Board. Mom was also the very first female chair of the United Way Board of Saskatoon and Area. She was inducted into the U. of S. Athletic Wall of Fame for basketball, tennis and track. Additionally she was an inducted team member, also for basketball, in the Saskatchewan Sports Halls of Fame. She served proudly on the board of this organization as well. In addition to their marriage, family and volunteering Betty and Gordon had other projects lasting many years. Two of these were travel and “the lake”!” They each adored both of these. Just some of the places they visited included Japan, Europe, British Isles, Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, New Zealand, Thailand, Barbados and Jamaica. Mom expressed delight upon each return and gave specific details her children remember her sharing. Other people in different countries were another opportunity for Mom’s sympathetic and empathetic nature to expand. Together with Dad, and for the family, Mom helped build the context and structures housing wonderful life-long memories acquired at Emma Lake. Mom could wield a nail-gun with the best of them!! In her later years, Mom did develop vascular dementia. Her disease process did not define her; rather she defined some of its direction. She never lost her sense of humour. She consistently expressed genuine delight in the company of her loved ones. She may have had trouble with our names but she always knew she loved us. Although difficult changes occurred, little glowing sparks of Mom were always present. Betty is predeceased by her enormously loved husband Gordon and her beloved daughter Cathy Bray. Also predeceasing her are her parents Stan and Til, Gordon’s parents Roger and Ethel, Brother-in-law and wife Ron and Helen Bray, her sister and brother-in-law, Geraldine and Fletch Taylor and cherished nephew John Taylor. She is survived by her eldest daughter Linda (Jim) Gillis, her son Scott (Carolyn) Bray, granddaughters Laurel (Jeff) Lindgren, Wendy (Luke Simcoe) Gillis, Shannon and Robyn Bray, and great-grandson Jack Lindgren. Joining them in remembrance and celebration are much loved nephew and niece Greg (Linda) Taylor and family and Heather (Bob) Guezen and family, Erika Taylor-Kummer and partner Fred, and great-niece Laura (Andrew McAleese) Taylor. Mom, Grandma and Aunt Bit: We thank you, we love you, and we hope you are dancing beautifully with Dad as you did here and discussing politics and big ideas with Cath.