Elizabeth "Betty" Palmeruk

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Elizabeth (Betty) Palmeruk on July 12, 2023.

Betty was born on June 30, 1939 near Shell Valley, Manitoba to Dora (Domnica) (nee Pentlichuk) and Theodore (Ted) Poclitar. She was given the name of Elizabeth after the royal visit to Canada of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth that took place just prior to her birth. She grew up on the family farm near Shell Valley. She was the youngest in the family and was especially close to her brother James throughout her whole life. She attended Shell River School and often reminisced about the long distance to walk to school and how difficult it was during the winter months when she was a young child. She later completed her Grade 10 education in Inglis. After school, she relocated to Hamilton, Ontario for a short period of time, but eventually returned to the Inglis area. Shortly thereafter, she met and then married George Palmeruk on August 6, 1959. From the time she married until the time of her passing, she continued to live on the Palmeruk family farm in the beautiful valley along the Shell River which she was so very proud to call home.

Not long after their marriage, a family was started. Sadly, their first child (a boy) was stillborn in August 1960. Shortly after, happier times were to come with the birth of their daughter Sherry in July 1961 and their son Brian in June of 1964. The early years were very busy with lots of hard work as they operated a grain and livestock farm. While raising a young family, there were always cows to milk, other animals to look after, a large garden to tend to, and plenty of kitchen time - cooking, canning, and baking. Betty and George still always found time to socialize with family and friends and enjoyed attending local dances on the weekends at the rural dance halls in those early years. There were times when George worked away from home and the farm and family were left in Betty’s capable hands.

Once her children were grown, one of Betty’s proud accomplishments was to get her Health Care Aide certificate in 1991.

Over the years the family grew to include grandchildren, Andrew and Heather.  They were very bright spots in her life and they enjoyed much fun time together when the grandchildren would come to spend holidays and weekends at the farm. 

Times changed in 2001 when her husband George was involved in a farming accident and was left physically incapacitated.  Betty and son Brian tended to his needs until his passing in 2003. Following that, she adapted to the new path she was on. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, making sure to attend all their special events and activities.  Eventually, she gained new family members when grandson Andrew married Jossi Lamy and then the births of two great-grandchildren, Daphne and Gus.

Throughout her life, connections with family and friends remained especially important. Betty was always very hospitable. No one could be in the house for more than five minutes without being offered some food or drink. It was mandatory to accept something! She always enjoyed having company and her door was always open to guests. She remained very active until her final year.  She always enjoyed her outdoor walks along the river or on the long lane to the house. Making sure that the grass in the farmyard was kept neatly trimmed was a priority. She enjoyed her summer flowers which were always so colourful and well cared for. She was always willing to share the bounties from her vegetable garden with others. We always gobbled up the dill pickles she would make. Her perogies and cabbage rolls were second to none – and we savoured those special foods. She never forgot a birthday and we could always rely on her for family and local history information.

Recent years posed more of a challenge when Betty was diagnosed with cancer in 2016. She faced this disease with strength and was bound and determined to live life on her own terms and remain at home as long as possible.  Thank you to son Brian, she was able to continue with life on the farm. Sadly, her health started to decline more noticeably in recent months. She celebrated her 84th birthday at home and shortly thereafter was hospitalized briefly until her passing. Although we will miss her terribly, we know she is in a better place and are grateful for the time we had with her.

Betty was predeceased by her husband George, infant son Johnny, parents Dora and Ted Poclitar, brother John Poclitar, sister Eleanor (Frank) Kunkel, in-laws Leontina and Toder Palamariuk,  Dora (Bill) Fostey, Mary (Mike) Bezan, Elie Palmeruk , John (Nancy) Palmeruk, Anne (Alvin) Griswold, nephews Jeff Palmeruk and Michael Bezan.

Betty is survived by daughter Sherry (Bruce) Mellor, son Brian Palmeruk, grandson Andrew (Jossi) Mellor, granddaughter Heather Mellor, great-grandchildren Daphne and Gus Mellor, also her brother James Poclitar, sister-in-law Elsie Palmeruk, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rest in peace after a life well lived.