Roberta (Betty) May Archer May 2, 1927 - March 28, 2020
Roberta May Archer made her appearance as the third child of Fred and Laura Harding on May 2, 1927 just minutes after her twin brother Robert in Toronto, Ontario. They joined an older sister and, a few years later, a younger sister was added to the family. Roberta (or Betty as she soon became known) grew up in Toronto and was a fun loving tomboy who would try anything her brother and his friends were doing.
Betty made many lifelong friends among the neighbours that she grew up with and from her time at Toronto Bible College. She came to Calgary to stay with a friend for the summer, fell in love with the mountains and decided to stay. Here she met and married the love of her life, Don Archer on April 7, 1955. They raised a family of five children. Betty was a stay-at-home mom who was always busy making meals, clothes and gifts for her family and friends. She taught Sunday School and her "girls" were additions to her family. They regularly hosted friends, family and newcomers to the neighbourhood and church. Her home was a welcome respite and she was a "mom" to our friends thru the years too.
Despite having to deal with arthritis for over fifty years, Betty was no complainer and was always concerned about others. Until they moved to Didsbury, she was an avid knitter and made beautiful outfits for herself and her family. Many people over the years were recipients of the hundreds of letters that she sent every year and this was a real ministry to family, friends and often an acquaintance she only knew through someone else. Don built a trailer and family camping, both on weekends and for several weeks in the summer, was a favorite activity down thru the years. They made trips across Canada and through several of the states.
Don and Betty moved to a senior's condo in Didsbury in the spring of 2005 and enjoyed almost lo years there before deciding to move to the Aspen Ridge Lodge in the fall of 2014. Here again, were many new friends to meet and pray for even after Betty was confined to a wheelchair and needed constant oxygen these last years.
Her Lord called Betty home, suddenly but peacefully, on March 28, 2020 at the age of 92. She will be sadly missed by her husband of almost 65 years - Don; son - Barry Archer; daughters - Pam & Lawrence Trenholm - Joy & Michael Bravin - Shelley & Mike Keizer; daughter-in-law Christine Archer; sister Gail Brewer; three sisters-in-law; three brothers-in-law; twelve grandchildren and thirteen great-grand children. Betty has several cousins and numerous nieces and nephews as well as many long standing and new friends who will also miss her.
Betty was predeceased by her son Todd, her brother Bob, her sister Doreen and her daughter-in-law Marilyn.
The family would like to express our deep appreciation for the loving care and friendship that Betty enjoys at the Aspen Ridge Lodge. Every worker and so many of the residents truly made her time there a joy and a blessing. We are so grateful for the wonderful care and understanding that Dr. Brunner gave to Betty during these last years of increased health issues. The staff at the Didsbury Hospital were so good to Betty whenever she was admitted and their compassion and kindness was a great comfort to the family during this final stay.
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family would encourage donations to the Arthritis Society.
