Betty “Jean” Gustafson (Hamilton) passed peacefully away, surrounded by nurturing staff and family, at the Lucky Lake Health Centre on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at the age of 83.
Jean was the eldest daughter of 5 children born to Gladys (Olson-Mclean) and Robert Hamilton on December 2, 1936 in Chaplin, Saskatchewan.
She is survived by her loving husband and dearest life partner, Boyd Gustafson, son Ronald Winbow(& Lara), daughters Laurie (& Eric) Winbow-Carter, Teresa (& Brian) Winbow-Weatherhead, stepdaughters Lorraine Vanderzwan, Nora (& Barry)Walker, stepson Russell (& Cheri) Stoney, 16 grandchildren (18 great grandchildren), her sisters Roberta Zanatta, Patsy Olson, brother Robert (& Yvonne) Hamilton and Boyd's family Rodney(Lorinda), Penny, Bryan(Nicki), Jamey(Lindee) and Lawny Gustafson, and 11 grandchildren.
Jean will always be remembered for her genuinely outgoing nature, generosity, and as curator, both of family stories, and in her abilities and talents when it came to the wealth of knowledge she possessed of antiques and history. She truly loved social connections, and being the bridge that kept her family ties intact.
Jean's loving childhood was spent growing up on the prairie until the age of 15 where she moved with family to Surrey, B.C.. She spent 50 years in B.C., married, was a homemaker, raised family, rejoiced in the birth of several grandchilden, navigated through numerous types of work, finding a career with the Province of B.C. as a Returning Officer until she retired. She became an expert antique dealer, loved garage sales, reading, camping and travel, and her home was always a space where friends and family from near and far gathered and felt welcome, anytime.
On an extended stay in Riverhurst, caring for her step-father Glen McLean after the loss of her dear mother and friend, Gladys, she met her kind-hearted Boyd, and easily found the journey back to her Prairie home.
Boyd and her shared many good years, and though she was to charter new territory in the health challenges she faced, she did so with grace and courage, and with the love of her life by her side. She will be missed by us all here, though we find much comfort in knowing her outgoing spirit will have reunited with so many loved ones whom she missed greatly.
There will be a Celebration Of Jean's Life held in her cherished community of Riverhurst in the summer of 2020
