Elizabeth Tait

February 7, 1912 – February 5, 2017

Betty passed away peacefully at Westminster House on February 5, 2017, two days before her 105th birthday. She is predeceased by her parents David and Maria Barbara Kelln, her husband Tracy(in 2000) as well as four brothers, Bill (Molly), David, Martin(Audrey), John(Leona) and seven sisters, Emily(Godfrey)Yauck, Mary(Joe) Ollinger, Molly Wilson, Kay(Bill)Farr, Bertha(Eugene)Kopf, Irene(Ira)Travis and Elvina(Bill)Raddysh.

Betty will be fondly remembered and loved by her son Bruce(Chris)Tait, daughter Carolyn(Rick)Conley, granddaughters Tara(Georges)Rassi, Tammy(Rolly)Judd as well as two great-grandchildren, Eddie and Riley. Special thanks to all the staff at Westminister House for all the kindness they showed to our mother. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make a donation, in memory of Betty, to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. A Celebration of Betty's Life will be held on March 25th.at Westminster House in Surrey.

The Life Story of

Elizabeth (Betty) Tait

It all started on a farm near the town of Duval, Saskatchewan, in 1912. Betty was one of 12 children raised by Dave and Maria Kelln. Farm life was hard. Early morning starts and late-night close-ups. Cooking for family and farm crew. Twice-a-year, treks to the big city to obtain items they could not produce from the land themselves. But there must have been lots of laughs. When you heard Mom and Aunt Mary reliving the early days, it was always the funny, silly things that got them talking and laughing. Betty moved to Winnipeg in the early 1940’s and became an employee of a bank. She met Tracy and became a bride soon after. In 1945, their son Bruce was born followed, in 1948, by daughter Carol. During their stay in Winnipeg, Betty devoted her days to caring for her family but took personal time to become active in a few bowling leagues. Most summers would see her return to the family farm to lend a hand in keeping the harvesting crew well fed. After 25 years in Winnipeg, Tracy’s job took them to Montreal, where they lived for the next 17 years, until Tracy retired. With no further work commitments, Mom and Dad followed their kids and grandchildren to the Vancouver area. What kept Mom going all these years? Walks every day, daily crossword puzzles from the paper, lots of scrabble games (an ability that became difficult only in the last year), and the family always had jigsaw puzzles on the go. Towards the end Mom, would say “Can you imagine us doing only a 300 or 500 piece puzzle?” Betty was always calm, helpful, charitable, and cheerful, and she had a great sense of humor. As her memory failed her, Mom would say “Why is my head acting this way when I don’t have an ache in my body?” Mom, you lived an extra-long and productive life. Now, all pains are gone. We love you and will miss you.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Alzheimer’s Society of BC