May 29, 1938 – April 24, 2026
The family of Betty (Betty Anne) Perrault are saddened to announce her passing on April 24, 2026, at the age of 87. Betty will be fondly remembered by her children: Les (Susan) and Donna; grandchildren: Taylor, Savannah (Alex) and Hailey; great-grandson: Cameron; sister-in-law: Bev Perrault; and numerous friends and relatives. She was predeceased by her husband Jim (James); parents: Harvey and Jean Meadows; brother and sister-in-law: George and June Meadows; father and mother-in-law: Erwin and Muriel Perrault; brother-in-law: Edwin Perrault; son-in-law: Mike Spavor. Betty was raised in Pense, Saskatchewan.
Betty often spoke fondly of her early years in Pense, spending time at the farm, visiting her dad at his service station, or just being up to no good with her cousin Edith Foster. She attended the Reliance Business College in Regina which served her well in later life. At a young age, Betty met “her Man” Jim from nearby Grand Coulee. They were married on October 12, 1957. They moved into an apartment in Regina where Betty worked at a jewelry store and Jim worked for the Leader Post newspaper. Shortly afterwards, Jim took a job at the Daily Times-Journal newspaper in Fort William (now Thunder Bay) and the two of them were headed East. It wasn’t long before their family continued to grow. Betty was an ideal mother filled with love and patience. She was truly the heart and soul of the family. She would teach by example and instilled an appreciation and commitment to family that lives within all of us today. Of all the lessons she taught us, that was the most valuable.
When the time came, Betty returned to the workforce. At first, she took part-time positions at Val’s Card and Party Shop and Cheryk Cartage before beginning her career with the City of Thunder Bay in 1974. Betty worked in several City departments including Telephone & Water, Health & Safety, Employee Health Services, and Human Resources. She was particularly proud of attending Lakehead University to become a qualified Audiometric Technician and later completing a Medical Terminology course at Confederation College which qualified her as a medical secretary. Betty was with the City until 1991 when Jim accepted a new job with Erco Worldwide in Grande Prairie. It was difficult for Betty to move to Grande Prairie and leave her first grandchild, but she was always a woman who stood by her Man. They enjoyed their time in Alberta before he retired and then moved back to Thunder Bay in 1995. Betty and Jim were accomplished travellers. They went North to Alaska, South to Australia and numerous countries in between. They were happy snowbirds in Arizona and made lifelong friends wherever they went. Betty had many talents and skills, but her superpower was as a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother. She could bake you the best birthday cake, help you pick out a new packsack for school, all while collecting years worth of photos and memorabilia for your own personal scrap book. Friends, particularly the Happy Gang, were also showered with her one-of-a-kind, love and affection. Betty’s proudest and happiest moments were always with loved ones. Whether it was countless family barbeques, enjoying the hospitality of friends at their camp, or all dressed up for an evening out with Jim, her smile would light up the room. She will be greatly missed. Thankfully, we can all find comfort knowing that Betty & Jim are reunited.
A Celebration of Life will be held May 7, 2026, from 2:00pm – 4:30pm at the Slovak Legion, 801 Atlantic Avenue, Thunder Bay. Should people wish, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay, Hospice Northwest, the Northern Cancer Fund, or the charity of your choice.
The family wishes to send a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Southbridge Roseview and at Chartwell Thunder Bay residence. Betty received such wonderful care and compassion from the people at both of these facilities.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
