Rose (Betty) Beatrice Salmond (nee Jacques) was born April 26, 1924 in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan to parents Louis & Rose Jacques. Betty was the youngest of 9 children: Leo, Harry, Florence, Regina, Marianne, Jeannette, Paul, & Antoinette. When she was ten years old the family moved to the Doncrest area where they met the Salmond's.
Betty married the love of her life Cleve Milton Salmond on August 19, 1941 at his parents, Peter & Gyda, home in Neely Lake, SK. In 1942 their firstborn arrived and they finished their home near Neely Lake, where Betty lived until 2012.
Betty and Cleve were blessed with 5 children and many grandchildren (but she was "Grandma Betty" to all who knew her). Cleve and Betty worked together putting up hay for their animals for winter the first year they were married. Cleve was awarded a logging contract in Pinkerton Lake in 1942 and he, Betty and Raymond moved to a shack there for the winter. Others boarded with them so Betty kept busy looking after the crew. Horses were used here as well as in haying season which obviously was the start of the love for horses the entire family has to this day. Betty enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren race and compete with their horses!
Betty had a deep love and devotion to her Lord and Saviour; so many people have been blessed to have had her in their lives. Betty taught Sunday School and VBS, and was a long time member of the Neely Lake Ladies Club. She was the kindest soul you could meet, her home was an open door to anyone and everyone. Betty was the glue that kept her large family close. Christmas gatherings found the entire family in tight quarters in her and Cleve's home. Laughter rang out as everyone visited and opened the homemade gifts she so lovingly made months in advance.
Her hands were never idle, if she wasn't tending to the everyday chores that came with a farming/logging operation Betty was canning or knitting. She will be fondly remembered for her numerous crafts which were always on the go - if she saw something she liked she would figure out how to make it. Her visions became reality as she created many masterpieces. Her button fireplace is something everyone should see.
Betty made items for the entire family (and numerous others) year round and we were all blessed to have beautiful gifts that ranged from quilts, mitts, tablecloths, scarves, socks, stick horses and just about anything one could imagine. Every family member has been wrapped with love from a quilt made just for them. The joke was if you received a pair of Betty's mitts you were truly welcomed to the family.
Picking berries was always a joy to Betty and many hours were spent with the grandchildren as Cleve loaded them all in the station wagon to find the perfect picking spots. Betty even had a berry picking adventure just a couple of years ago.
Collecting teapots turned into a serious passion and everyone tried to find the perfect teapot to add to her ever expanding collection. A wing on the house was built specifically for her teapots and shelves lined the walls with her unique findings.
Cleve passed away November 9, 1989 and Betty remained in their family home until 2012. The house is still standing full of precious memories.
Betty's children and grandchildren were a source of pride and she attended many of the events they were partaking in - cheering from the sidelines. Any new horse purchase had to be taken to Betty's so she could look them over. Her wall of horse names came in handy as many horses changed hands over the years.
With grandma living so close she always had extra mouths to feed and a comfy bed for one (or two or three) of the grandkids. Numerous hours were spent teaching her grandchildren the art of crafting and many of them have her knack for creating amazing works of art.
Mean games of scrabble and skipbo were played into the wee hours of the morning; the Salmond competitiveness truly came from Betty.
Betty was predeceased by her parents Louis and Rose Jacques, husband Cleve Salmond, brothers Leo, Harry & Paul Jacques, Sisters Florence Webb, Regina Nicholsen, Marianne Clear, and Antoinette Moore, and Great Grandson Zachary LeBlanc.
She is survived by Sister Jeannette Salmond, Children Raymond (Sandra), Larry (Marjorie), Wayne (Sharon), Yvonne (Bryce Young), Neil (Barbara), 17 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.