Betty Mae Daniels (Baldner)

Betty Mae Daniels passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving Sunday, October 11^th, 2026 at the Gene Zwozdesky Centre Norwood in Edmonton at 100 years-of-age.  She lived a great and long life.

Betty grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba with her father John, mother Melvina and two sisters Shirley and Jean.  The Baldner sisters were very close and always maintained close family ties. Betty attended Kelvin High School and then entered into the field of nursing as she wanted to help out due to  World War II.  She graduated from nurse training at the Winnipeg General Hospital in 1948. Betty was class president and president of the Manitoba Student Nurses Association.

Betty and Harry Daniels were married in July 1949 and moved to Toronto so that Harry could continue to study Divinity at Wycliffe College and pursue his professional football career.  While in Toronto, Betty worked at the Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital.  In 1953 they moved back to Winnipeg and Betty nursed at the Winnipeg General Hospital working weekend and night shifts while they raised a family of five children - Patricia (Paul), Kimberly, Susan (Dave), Tom (DeeAnn) and Jane (Tim).

Betty was not one to sit idle and when she took a break from nursing she dedicated her time to many volunteer positions and organizations.  Most positions were related to the various sports and other activities that her children were involved with and included the Pan Am Games that were held in Winnipeg in 1967.  Betty had very fond memories of spending time with family at their cottage at Betula Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park.  Betty loved many outdoor activities including winning many canoe races in her hand painted pink canoe with husband Harry.

In 1975 Harry and Betty moved to Edmonton and Betty worked for the City of Edmonton Parks and Recreation Department.  In the early 1980’s, after a 30 year break from working as a nurse, Betty decided to go back to nursing school to refresh her training allowing her to enter the nursing field once again.  Betty was amazed about how many positive changes were made in the nursing field in a seemingly short period of time.  After completion of the training she was hired by Paramed (which later became The Edmonton Board of Health) as a home visitation nurse.  She started the Edmonton Chapter of the Winnipeg General Hospital Alumni Association and attended many class reunions in Winnipeg.  In 2007 she was named an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Winnipeg General Hospital Alumni Association.  This was a great honour for Betty who attended this meeting with her sister Jean who had also graduated from the same nursing school.   With her children grown up Betty continued her volunteering work with Meals On Wheels.  She and Harry became members of the Edmonton Old Timers Fishing Club and Betty applied her crafting skills in fly tying.

Betty continued her strong support for family in all the activities of her grandchildren  Sarah (Sam), Michaela (Mark), Anna (Aaron), Trevor (Ella), Leigh (Braeden), Bryce, Haley (Alex), Hayden, Alecia (Brayden) and Avery, and her 11 great grandchildren Nicholas, Oliver, Ben, Dillan, Piper, Abby, Matea, Charlie, Wesley, Walker and Stevie.  Betty was a spectator fixture at many sporting, music events and graduations.

Betty was loved by all.  She was a very giving and compassionate woman who had a great zest for life. She loved to play bridge, spend time in her garden, go for long walks with their golden retriever dogs, cross country ski, attend Eskimos/Elks football and Oiler hockey games or knit/crochet constantly giving socks, blankets, mitts and toques to her special charities. She was an amazing role model always doing her daily physical exercises, eating healthy foods and continually helping others.

Betty Mae was predeceased by her parents, John and Melvina Baldner, husband Harry, sisters Shirley Fowler and Jean Shields.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Gene Zwozdesky Centre Norwood hospice who kept Betty comfortable and provided excellent care.

It was Betty's wish to not have a formal funeral or celebration of life. Friends and family who so wish may make memorial donations in Betty's name to a charity of their choice.