Betty Connoly
1920 ~ 2023

On August 9, 1920, 103 years ago, an extraordinary life began. Betty Wilson Milligan was born, against long odds, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. She was the first child for pioneers, Robert Milligan and Naina (nee Wilson). Robert had survived WWI with just one lung intact. After getting married in England, they were happy to immigrate to a homestead in the Paddockwood area. Showing grit, they built a home to raise Betty and her brother Patrick, younger by 8 years. On the six-mile ride to school, not yet old enough to mount a horse by herself, Betty was lifted to the saddle at home and lifted off again, by the teacher.

In 1937, the family built a new home and moved to Christopher Lake. Betty would soon have a chance to hone her maternal instincts. As a toddler, Stanley Connoly lost his mother and Betty took over. As a result, Stan and Betty enjoyed a life-long bond.

Young Stanley also had a tall, handsome uncle named David Connoly. Betty would marry him on November 10, 1940. The newlyweds set off for Vancouver in search of work, where she accepted a position as a domestic in a private home. But Betty and David soon found themselves back home in the Beaton district. Marjorie came first, in the living room, where Betty virtually gave birth on her own; the newborn girl was warmed in the oven in a shoe box. After that dramatic event, David and Betty moved into the Village at Christopher Lake. A year later, Robert Allan “Butch” was born, and then “young Davey.” A decade later came Dwight.

Betty’s favourite place in the world was their next home, The Farm. It featured a small white house on a quarter of land. This was where memories were made. She taught her children the value of getting up early and working together. Many family events were celebrated with a wiener roast.

After moving to Prince Albert in 1962, and seeing the kids through school or weddings, new jobs or new builds, and the birth of eight grandchildren, D. M., as she called him, died in 1987. A few years later, Betty moved into Marquis Tower and for the next eighteen years people came to play a game of crib, tell a story, or solve a problem. When she wasn’t travelling, Betty was happy to host. Finally, she lived for more than seven years at Points West. She was someone with a pragmatic, “just get on with it” approach to life. She didn’t believe in stirring the pot, only pouring the tea. She passed on Monday, August 7, 2023, after a fall and a brief hospital stay surrounded by family.

Betty is survived by her daughter and her family, Marjorie Skotheim; Hugh (Yuxiao Liu), Austin and Lucas Skotheim; Jason (Karen Bradley), Ryan and Emma Skotheim. Her sons and their families, Allan “Butch” Connoly (Kathy); Robert (Nadine), Aidan and Devan Connoly; Randall, Chloe and Valentina Connoly; and Jill (Blair), Ben and Kathleen Wilson. David Connoly (Tammy Penner); Dayna (Gaetano), Giovanni and Rachel Mazzuca; Tyler (Marti), Summer and Nevada Connoly. Dwight Connoly (Susan); Sherry Lee Connoly (Matthew Hryckowian), and Abby Rose Hryckowian. Her special niece, Betty Ann (Gary) Bear and family; her special nephew, Stanley Connoly and family.

She is predeceased by her parents, R. J. T. “Bob” and Naina Milligan; her husband, David Connoly (in 1987); her parents-in-law, Ambrose and Margaret Connoly; her brother, Patrick Milligan, his wife, Helen and their son, Michael; her in-laws, William and Etta Connoly, and their daughter Muriel; Alfred and Ada Connoly; May and George Beaton, and their sons, Jim and Wayne; Agatha Connoly; her daughter-in-law, Lynda Johnson; and her son-in-law, Harvey Skotheim.

The Celebration of Betty’s Life will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at River Park Funeral Home, in Prince Albert, SK, with Wes Stubbs officiating. Family and friends unable to attend the service may view it online at https://fweb.tv/106595 . Interment to follow at South Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty’s memory to Diabetes Canada. Online condolences may be left at https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/riverpark/obituaries/betty-connoly/107715  . Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of River Park Funeral Home, (306) 764-2727, Colette Harnett, Funeral Director and Sarah Naytowhow.

• Date : 2023-08-07
• Location : Prince Albert, SK