Elizabeth (Beth) Gibbon (nee Alexander)

Elizabeth “Beth” Gibbon was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and tireless volunteer whose pride in her Scottish heritage enriched Winnipeg’s Highland dancing and Pavilion communities for decades.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Beth met Eric Gibbon in 1942, when he arrived in the city to enlist and train with the Royal Canadian Air Force. They married in June 1946 and shared 63 years together, creating a welcoming home where relatives and friends were always made to feel like family.

Beth worked at the Royal Alexandra Hotel, in department-store retail and mail order, and later with Weight Watchers, where she was proud to become a lifetime member. She also served for many years as a Sunday School teacher at Grey Street United Church.

Her deepest devotion was to her family. Beth found her greatest calling as a mother to M’Liss and John and later took immense joy in helping care for her grandchildren, Colin, Michael, and Amanda.

Beth’s involvement in Winnipeg’s Scottish community began through her daughter’s Highland dancing. She joined the Manitoba Highland Dancers Association in 1966 and devoted more than 20 years to supporting dancers and competitions. She served as convenor and co-convenor of the Tartan Tea, was Association President from 1973 to 1975, assisted with competition scoring, and was later honoured with lifetime membership.

As a dedicated Heather-Belle Ladies’ Pipe Band mother, Beth was involved with the Pavilion of Scotland from its earliest years until the 1990s. Behind the scenes, she planned menus, ordered supplies, prepared food, and directed kitchen operations—essential work that helped sustain volunteers, performers, and visitors throughout Folklorama.

One of Beth’s most treasured experiences was travelling to Scotland in 1982 with her daughter and the Heather-Belle Ladies’ Pipe Band, visiting the homeland of her parents and celebrating the traditions she had worked so hard to preserve.

Beth passed away on February 17, 2009, at the age of 87.