Elizabeth Janet Robin

ROBIN, Elizabeth Janet Born November 14, 1932 – March 18, 2024 Aged 91 years.

Elizabeth Janet Robin was born to George and Eliza Hardy on November 14, 1932 in the RM of Boulton. Betty and her older sister Joyce were raised on the homestead which was located along the Russell Trail and bordered Riding Mountain National Park.  The Hardy’s grazed their cattle in the park and one of Betty’s chores as a girl was rounding the cattle up every evening to bring them to back to the yard. In 1938, George’s nephew, Peter Braidwood, emigrated from Scotland and came to live on the farm. Although they were cousins, Betty always considered Peter her older brother.

Betty received her education at Freefield and Mountain View Schools. She and Joyce either walked to school or rode their pony, Trinket. Trinket was temperamental and sometimes decided to suddenly flop down for a roll on the ground. The girls learned to do quick dismounts and Trinket would usually get up and run for home before they could catch him. He was always smart enough to let them catch up right before getting in sight of the yard because he knew their dad would scold him for deserting the girls.

After her older sister Joyce married Herb Gillies, Betty would sometimes go visit them wherever they happened to be living at the time. Herb was a Canadian Pacific station master so they moved around quite a bit. Betty always enjoyed those visits, especially since she got to see her nephew David and twin nieces Janet and June. They always had fun with their Auntie Betty. After her schooling was finished she moved to Russell to start work at the Solo store. She worked there until she met Michael Robin whom she married on July 1, 1961. The newlyweds made their home on the Robin farm which is still located south of Roblin in the Tummel district. They were blessed with three children Thomas Clarence, Timothy George and Jennifer Anne.

Farm wives are very busy and Betty was no exception. Raising children and helping Michael on the farm kept her occupied. Cooking, gardening, preserving, raising chickens and pigs, and milking cows were just a few of Betty’s important contributions. Michael’s parents, Clarence and Harriet lived in the same yard and mom was always thankful for the help they gave her when she needed it.

Betty always had pets of many kinds, from her Holstein milk cow Sally to her special yellow lab, Gracie who was by her side for many years, to too many cats to mention. She had a way with animals that’s for sure.

Betty became involved in the Tummel UCW and was a member for many years. She made many good friends through that group and the meetings and get-togethers with those ladies made for a change from day to day life on the farm and forged many long standing friendships. She was a quiet, caring person who always helped out neighbours when needed and worked at many funeral lunches and church functions.

Although she was happiest in her own home on the farm Betty was convinced to go on a few car trips with Michael, Joyce and Herb. She also travelled with Jennifer to British Columbia, Ottawa and Toronto to visit family. One of her favourite places to go was to visit Michael’s sister, Betty and her husband Walter in Neepawa and it was always a cause for excitement when they called to say they were coming to spend the weekend at the farm. Their children Sheila, Kerry and Don have always spoken of the good memories they have of those visits while they were growing up.

In 2000 the family grew when Jennifer married Paul Neuhofer of Inglis. Betty and Michael celebrated this addition to the family and came to care deeply for their new son-in-law. Michael passed away on March 17, 2002 and Betty then started a new chapter of her life without her partner of 41 years. Her sons Tom and Tim officially took over the family farm and Betty stayed on to assist them in any way she could.  

In 2011 life brought some new excitement to Betty when she was blessed with the birth of her first grandchild, Michael. Her joy doubled with the birth of Joshua in 2014. She was now known as Granny and it was a name that fit her perfectly. These two little boys spent most Saturdays at the farm with Granny and Uncles and everyone looked forward all week to these visits. Many happy memories were made. After a short stay in the hospital Betty passed away and a rich life came to an end.

Betty was predeceased by her parents, Eliza and George Hardy, mother and father-in-law, Harriet and Clarence Robin, sister Joyce Gillies (Herb), brother Peter Braidwood (Beth), sister-in-law Mary Hull (Arthur), sister-in-law Doris Cole (Norman), sister-in-law Muriel Dale (Douglas), sister-in-law Elizabeth (Walter), niece Kerry Parrot and dear friend of the Robin family, William Dillabaugh.         

Left with many beautiful memories of Betty are her sons, Tom and Tim Robin, daughter Jennifer and husband Paul Neuhofer, and grandsons Michael and Joshua Neuhofer, as well as many special nieces and nephews.

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