Elizabeth Marguerite (Rouse) Lundie

Elizabeth Marguerite (Rouse) Lundie, also known as Betty, was born on January 20, 1932 at Stettler, Alberta to parents Nellie and Jacob Rouse. Elizabeth Lundie passed away April 25, 2020 at Rosehaven Care Center in Camrose Alberta at the age of 88 years old.

Betty will be lovingly remembered by her two children, Robin Lundie (Alissa)of Clive and Donna Abma (Phil) of Lacombe.

What a woman. This spitfire was the 2nd youngest to 5 siblings from Stettler. The Rouse family was well known in the community as a hard-working dedicated farmer. She went to school in Stettler and loved English and Phys ED. That is where she fell in love with playing baseball. In her 20’s she worked with her Aunt at the Stettler hotel where she met her love, a young geologist, James Douglas Lundie. The two were married and moved to Calgary where they completed their family with son Robin and daughter Donna. Doug and Betty had a dream of leaving the city and starting up a farm. So, they did just that and moved just Northeast of Lacombe Alberta in the mid 70’s. That is where Doug built a beautiful cedar log house and the farming began.

1979, Doug passed away and sadly left Betty and his two children. For the next 35 years, Betty maintained the farm and raised two kids to the best of her ability. Her tenacity was second to none. She had deep pride and love in her home. She loved gardening and had large beautiful flower beds. She loved all flowers, but her favourite flowers were roses and lilies, she also tended big gardens and enjoyed canning. The woman was an incredible cook and baker.

Betty had a love for Tom Selleck, Patrick Swayze and Clint Eastwood. She loved a good movie and it would range from Dirty Harry to Gone with the Wind. She had a deep love for period movies and a crime drama anytime. When Magnum PI first aired on television, she fell madly in love with Tom Selleck and his red Ferrari. Loved it so much she traded in her mint green Cougar for a black Camaro with red pin stripping. The woman had incredible style and taste.

She had a deep love for reading and history. She loved learning about the World Wars and the Royal Family, especially Princess Diana. She loved reading about the Kennedy’s and Jackie Onassis and any history piece she could get her hands on. As much as she loved reading, she loved her music. Elvis made her dance; ABBA made her sing and Hank Williams made her sentimental.

She loved holidays. Her favourite was Christmas. We honestly can not begin to describe the decorating frenzy that took place each year at this time. The tinsel, the tree, the poinsettias were in abundance. We believe that Santa truly had issues with discerning that it was Betty’s house that he was visiting and not his own home. It was amazing.

Betty loved visiting with her brothers and sisters. Jim, Ronnie, Mae, Jean and Donna were her people. It was a treat for her to go visit her sister Donna and have sleep overs. She loved each one of them deeply and it was her oldest brother Jim that helped her and guided her in navigating the farm and her life when she needed it. She loved her nieces and nephews and loved watching them grow and then continued to love the extended family. She loved her grandbabies, Michael, Makenzie, Isabella and Sam.

She adored her dogs, cats not so much. From Lucky to Apollo to Bennett and Monty.

It was heartbreaking when the diagnosis of Dementia came into play. From that diagnosis, it was also news of the mental health that she had suffered her whole life undetected. It truly was devastating and relieving at the same time as we learned the information.  We had to move her from the place that she loved so much in hopes to care for her as best as we could. I am in awe really. She in her 88 years, medically survived a heart attack, breast cancer, stroke and dementia for 7 years. The sheer fortitude of her will to live is unprecedented. She never quit and continued to fight until the very end.

Even as we remember her love and passions, there are times of great pain and sorrow. Conflict and separation. Elizabeth did the absolute best with what she had and that is what we celebrate. It is so important that we continue to talk openly about mental health so that we may walk with each other in grace and mercy.

We would also like to sincerely thank from the bottom of our hearts, all the doctors and nurses that cared for our mom over the years. Rosehaven in Camrose especially in the last couple of years. We are deeply grateful for the care and attention to comfort.

Mom, we love you. Rest in Peace.

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