SCHWARTZ: Betty May
August 9, 1919 - September 1, 2013
The death of Mrs. Betty May (nee Walton) Schwartz of Watson, SK, (and formerly of Englefeld, SK), occurred at Humboldt District Hospital, Humboldt, SK, on Sunday, September 1, 2013. She was 94 years of age. Betty was born on August 9, 1919, in Quill Lake, SK, to William and Dorothy (nee Compton) Walton. She grew up on the family farm at Quill Lake and attended school in the area. Betty then went on to attain her teaching certificate in Saskatoon, SK. She taught one year at a country school at Hendon, SK, which included all grades up to Grade 10, with an enrollment of 52 students. Betty had the privilege of living in the teacherage, a one-room shack, and also did the janitor work. She then went on to teach at Greenside School in the Englefeld district. Having Grades 1 to 4 was a treat, and she stayed there three and a half years, boarding at Stromes, her step-mother's home. While teaching there, Betty met Ray Schwartz. They were married on July 13, 1944 and resided in the Englefeld district. After the wedding, they made the arduous trip of four nights and five days by train day coach to St. John, NB, where Ray was put into intensive training. He was discharged in March 1946. Meanwhile, Betty stayed at the home of Ray's parents, Jake and Susan Schwartz. Betty and Ray were blessed with nine children, Theresa, Hugh, Gerald, Daniel, Doreen, Ken, Anne, Corlene and Dale. They took up residence in the Schillings home, and looked after eight cows and four horses until they were able to start farming in the Diamond Willow School district. The first few years were extremely busy and the work was heavy. Betty had been active in the Christian Mothers and the CWL, serving also as president of the Muenster Diocesan Council and as convenor on the Provincial Executive for three years. She was also a 4-H leader for eight years, teaching knitting and sewing, a member of the Watson Legion Auxiliary, and she worked diligently for the National Farmers' Union for eight years. Betty enjoyed her gardening and was an avid quilter. Betty was a loving, caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and stayed in touch with every family member. She kept up with every addition to the family and each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild received a quilt that she had made. In Betty and Ray's retirement years, they frequently went travelling and camping with Peter and Eda Strunk. Betty and Ray were very dedicated to their faith and to the church which was very important to them. In 2010, Betty took up residency at Quill Plains Centennial Lodge. Betty is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Raymond Schwartz; their seven children: Hugh Schwartz (Joanne Plag), Daniel (Betty) Schwartz, Doreen (Daryl) Ehlert, Ken (Feng) Schwartz, Anne Hornbeck, Corlene (Tim) Carnegie, and Dale Schwartz; son-in-law, Don Wacholtz; two brothers: Robert Glover and David (Sheila) Walton; sister-in-law, Barbara Walton; 25 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Dorothy (nee Compton) Walton; step-mother, Myrtle Strome; two children: Theresa Wacholtz, and Gerald Schwartz (in infancy); two brothers and three sisters: William (Ruth) Walton, Joan (Lawrence) Schwartz, Kathleen (Charles) Freeman, Patricia (Ken) Ross, and Gordon Walton; and by sister-in-law, Shirley Glover. The Prayer Service for Betty was held at Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church, Englefeld, on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. presided by Patsy Knafelc and Marie ven der Buhs. The scripture readers were Sylvia Robillard and Sharon Putnam, and the eulogy was delivered by Doreen Ehlert. Music ministry was provided by organist Sandra Athmer and music director Manny Lefebvre. The Funeral Mass was offered at Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Darryl Millette. Others taking part were: Ivan Griller, crossbearer; Anita Wacholtz and Karen Griller, scripture readers; Val Noble, intentions; Shauna Griller and Veline Griller, giftbearers; Jen Schwartz, Michelle Thompson, Sonya Block, and Brandy Hamilton, memorial table attendants. An honor guard was formed by members of the C.W.L. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Betty's life". Active pallbearers were Marc Schwartz, David Schwartz, Richard Schwartz, Jody Ehlert, Murray Wacholtz, and Giles Stanton. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Quill Plains Centennial Lodge Garden Fund or the Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Cemetery Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
