Obituary of Betty Riddell

RIDDELL – Betty C. died peacefully in her home at Stonebridge Crossing on December 19, 2016. Betty was born September 18, 1927 and grew up in Welwyn Saskatchewan. In 1949, she graduated from the College of Pharmacy, University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. In 1962, she received a Certificate in Business Administration from the College of Commerce, University of Saskatchewan. Betty’s career as a pharmacist began at Moose Jaw Drug and Stationery. She moved to Lethbridge, Alberta in 1950 to become Director of Pharmacy at Galt Hospital and later at Lethbridge Municipal Hospital. In 1958, Betty and her husband, Murray Riddell, moved to Saskatoon. Betty was a pharmacist at Pinders and then joined the staff of the Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Royal University Hospital, in 1959. She served in various positions, including Director of the hospital’s pharmacy residency program. During her career she felt privileged to have worked with 103 pharmacy residents. She ended her career as Director of Pharmaceutical Services. In addition to her responsibilities at RUH, in 1974, she was appointed Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy at the University of Saskatchewan, a position she held until her retirement in 1993. Following retirement, Betty continued to be involved in pharmacy associations and as a volunteer Pharmacy Consultant at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre. She became a member of the Canadian Association of Pharmacy in Oncology and helped them develop their Standards of Practice. Betty was an Honorary Life Member of the Saskatchewan Pharmaceutical Association (SPhA), having served as President in 1989-90. She was the first hospital pharmacist to be elected to this position. Betty was an active member of the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP). She served as Saskatchewan Branch President and later as National President. She was Associate Editor, Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy from 1962-81. For significant contributions to hospital pharmacy practice, she received the Ortho Award in 1980, the J.L Summers Achievement Award in 1988, and Honorary Life Membership in CSHP in 1996. She was the first recipient of the Betty C. Riddell Award, an award named in her honour by the CSHP. She became a Fellow of CSHP, by examination, in 1980 and served as Chairman of the Board of Fellows from 1986-89. In 1982, Betty represented Saskatchewan pharmacists on the Council of Delegates of the Canadian Pharmaceutical Association (CPhA), and was Speaker in 1988-89. She was a member of the CPhA Board of Directors from 1989-95. In 1996, she received a CPhA Meritorious Service Award. She also received an Honorary Life Membership in CPhA. Other involvement has included terms with the Saskatchewan Formulary Committee, and the Professional Education Committee of the Saskatchewan Heart and Stroke Foundation. Betty served as the SPhA representative to the University of Saskatchewan Senate. She was also a long-term member of the Alberta Pharmaceutical Association. In 2014, Betty was named as a Centennial Alumni of Influence by the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan in recognition of the college’s 100th anniversary. Betty provided outstanding service to her profession in clinical, academic, administrative and organizational responsibilities. In retirement, she continued to use her leadership skills in service to her faith community, Knox United Church. In reaching the goals Betty set for herself, she was always gracious and offered complete devotion, loyalty, dedication, modesty, compassion and honesty. She loved hosting family, friends, and colleagues. She will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered. Betty was predeceased by her husband, Murray Riddell; parents, Mary and Robert Welcher; brother Ken Welcher; sister-in-law Ruth Welcher; and brother-in-law Alex Frazer. She is survived by her sister, Shirley Frazer; brother, Bill Welcher; sister-in-law, Marilyn Welcher; nieces and nephews and their families.