Dr. Elizabeth (Bette) Louise Gray
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Elizabeth (Bette) Louise Gray at the age of 72.
She is survived by her husband Del; her two sons Neal (Christina) and Scott (Lisa); her three grandchildren Logan, Ryan, and Kylie; her brother Ivan (Margaret) Purdy; her sister Mavis (Gerry) Erker, and her sister Delle Fardy.
Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents, her sister Lori Nichol, and an infant brother Frazer.
Elizabeth was born in Hamiota, MB to Henry Clayton Purdy and Elizabeth (Bess) Isabel Purdy (Crighton). She grew up on the family farm near Cardale and then later finished her schooling and began her post-secondary studies in Brandon.
She relocated to Alberta in the 1970s, completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta, became a teacher, had her children, and lived in Stony Plain.
Elizabeth was a fierce proponent of lifelong education and in the 1990s she returned to the University of Alberta and completed a Master’s degree. She would return to the University of Alberta again in the 2000s to complete a PhD.
Later in her career, Elizabeth served as a Director with the Government of Alberta’s Education department, where she led the Stakeholder Technologies team, assisting teachers & schools with the implementation of new technology into the classrooms.
For many years Elizabeth and Del owned a lot at Thunder Lake and the family would spend most summer weekends there, enjoying the outdoors. Remembered are many walks, campfires, and fun times in the family boat, including some spectacular moments of tube riding.
Elizabeth loved to golf, she made and maintained many of her friendships spending time out on the links. She also loved to host friends & family and was ever the social convener; she found joy in encouraging everyone to participate in fun & games.
Elizabeth believed in improving community through volunteerism and lent her time to many causes throughout her life, including a City of Edmonton advisory committee, the YWCA board, the FCSS board, and the Alberta NDP.
A Celebration of Life will be held later.
In lieu of flowers, donations can made to the Society for Canadian Women in Science & Technology at https://scwist.ca/get-involved/donate/
Elizabeth touched many lives and will be greatly missed. She was determined, positive, and loving.
I was deeply saddened to hear of your loss. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. May you find strength, comfort, and peace in the love and memories you shared, very warm regards.
Neal, Christina, and family,
Bette made a very positive impact on Alberta’s political and education systems. I often meet teachers and public servants who are excited to tell me that they work(ed) with your mom. She was loving, kind, smart, and relentless: great qualities in a wonderful person. I will miss seeing her in the gallery, at fundraisers, and on the steps of the legislature in protest. I am thinking about you all during this incredibly sad time.
Bette was the kind of woman who made you feel like your work was making a difference. She had a great sense of humour and was always ready to share a chuckle or an eye roll with. Campaigns will be different without her tireless efforts. We have lost one helluva woman.
I had the immense pleasure of working with Bette, but I really got to know her after I had left Alberta Ed when she and I were in book club together. “The Bookers” were a force to be reckoned with and everyone, but especially, Bette took our get togethers very seriously. We had decorations, food and sometimes hats to match our book choices. Our evenings were filled with great wine, fabulous food, laughter and friendship and occasionally we even talked about the book. Bette was a beautiful person inside and out and she will be greatly missed.
Oh my! Such a loss. I have many fond memories of working and playing with Bette at Parkland School Division and at Alberta Education. Her vibrancy and intelligence will be missed.
It is with profound shock and sadness that we heard of Bette’s passing. We were both colleagues of hers in Parkland School Division and Bob later worked with her at Alberta Education for ten years.
Throughout that time, we were privileged to spend time at work and at play with Bette. She was a true professional in all her roles, with a keen intellect, an ability to put technology and its benefits in context (that helped people to be confident in its application), a friendly, open and collaborative disposition with a great sense of humour.
Our sincere condolences are extended to her family and close friends. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
I’m so saddened to hear the news of Bette’s passing. Bette and I worked together in Parkland School Division and again at Alberta Education. She was a bright light, so thoughtful, encouraging, uplifting and always up for a good laugh along the way. Bette really was a life long learner and a true leader. She worked so hard on behalf of students. She was very talented and shared her gifts so freely.
Bette will be missed dearly by all knew and loved her…deepest sympathy to Bette’s family and friends.
What a shock to hear this news yesterday. I have so many fond memories of working with Bette in Alberta Education. I didn’t work in her branch, but in my role as Facilities Officer, I had many discussions with Bette on improving space for her staff. When they were discussing lowering the square footage allotted per staff member, Bette and I were joking one day that the next thing you know, we’ll be having to put a desk in the elevator. We were going to do that as an April Fool’s prank the next year, but both of us forgot about our scheme until long after April 1. We always talked and laughed about it after though. Bette had such a sense of fun and was a true joy to be around. She was greatly missed when she left Alberta Education, but now she is fondly remembered and I am truly sorry for your loss.
My sincere condolences to Bette’s family. She and I crossed paths so many times during our working lives in higher education in Alberta. She always brought her sharp wit and dedicated intelligence to wherever we were… at conferences, on councils, in courses at U of A. She was a delight and will be sorely missed.
Anyone who knew bette knew immediately that she was special. Always made you feel important, worthy, included. Our many years at parkland school division were a gift and a tear slipped out when she left to go to Alberta education. Parkland lost some big talent. What a loss to your family, I am so sorry she was robbed of time with her grandchildren. Farewell to a very unique friend.
Dear Del, Neal, Scott and family,
I was so saddened to hear about Bette’s passing. She was one of those people whose head and heart were in the right place and she leaves behind a tremendous legacy of leadership, public service in education and government, a wide circle of friends and her cherished family.
Bette had razor-sharp wit, an endless supply of cartoons, and the magical ability to always produce the perfect one for the occasion, using humour to connect with people and create moments of shared laughter.
I’ll always be grateful for the trust she placed in us in the School Technology Branch. She saw potential and then let people run with big things. Real responsibility, real ownership, and support that made you feel capable of more than you thought you were.
She also let us be a bit ridiculous.
A perfect example is the mannequin escapades: Bette suggested that we set “Ilean” up in the ADM’s office (resulting in an unintended jump scare for Wilma when she returned from vacation) and later suggesting that we store the mannequin in another Director’s office (with an old “Happy Birthday” card still attached)…resulting in genuine panic, a cake, and a full-blown celebration for someone whose birthday it absolutely was not.
She worked hard, played hard, and her early morning “strategy meetings” at Victoria Golf Course were legendary. Consistent, capable, and always in motion, she brought the same focus and spirit to her golf game as she did to everything else. The rest of us just tried to keep up.
Bette’s impact is written into the people she led and believed in. I’m better for having known her, and I’ll carry her humour, her standards, and her fierce care for people with me always.
With heartfelt sympathy to all who loved her.
Angie
Angie, you really captured all the good things I remember about Bette. Beautiful post.
I learned so much, laughed until I cried and genuinely felt empowered and challenged to be bold in our work. I never doubted her resolve to ensure our work benefited students, was evidence-based and attune to our political context. Bette had a keen, strategic mind and I was often in awe of her ability to make the most complex ideas accessible. It’s hard to believe she is no longer with us. She truly was a force of nature and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to know her.
Betty was an incredible force her entire life. She was a bridesmaid at our wedding and her wit and calmness made everyone feel at ease the entire day. After that we all ended up in Alberta to start our careers and before kids we enjoyed many a get together at their place or ours. Del was also a hoot and together their dynamic personalities were so much fun to be with. It is an understatement to say that she will be missed.
My deepest sympathies to Bette’s family. I had the pleasure of working with Bette while she was leading the School Technology Branch in Alberta Education. Bette was a natural leader. Her easy manner made everyone comfortable and she was able to pull the best out of all team members, often through her witful humour. I had tremendous respect for Bette and always appreciated her inclusiveness, ensuring everyone received credit for their contributions.
Following my retirement, I never had the chance to tell Bette how much I appreciated her. As family members, I want you to know how very important she was to not just leading our province forward, but doing so in a manner which we all admired. We were grateful for her abilities, for her respect, and for her caring. I am so sorry to learn of your loss.
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful lady. Our hearts are heavy as we extend our deepest condolences to Del and his family at this difficult time.