Elizabeth Ann Armistead

Elizabeth Ann Armistead

1950 - 2025

Elizabeth Ann Armistead passed peacefully on Saturday September 27,2025 with her daughter by her side.

Elizabeth Ann Armistead was born on March 20,1950 to Ernest and Bertha Ray in Swan River, Mb. Elizabeth was the 8th child born of 12 children.  6 boys and 6 girls. Elizabeth grew up in the Big Woody District, where she attended Lady Hubble School along side her siblings. She was burnt by a fire as a young child so not may pictures were taken until later years.

On April 26,1969 Elizabeth married Armand Armistead. They lived in Roblin, MB for a while until moving to Swan River where they decided to raise their family.  While living in Swan River, Elizabeth worked for Keith and Denise Hay at the Eastview Restaurant as a waitress.  She loved her job. She met a lot of new people who became lifelong friends. After some time, Elizabeth decided it was time to stay at home to raise her family.  However, work always found her, if it was caring for may family members kids and then their kids. She loved having kids around, and she always said more kids the merrier. Many of my brothers and my friends called her mom for she treated them like they were her own. However, in later years it was the grandchildren who took the spotlight and her heart.

Elizabeth was very active in the community, whether it was attending the Stock Car Races, or attending the Ladies Legion Auxiliary meetings where she was a longtime member. As well she would volunteer countless hours at the Swan Valley Agricultural Society doing whatever she could to help out with the fair.

Later in life, Elizabeth met Wayne Schell.  They would spend many weekends at Whitefish Lake fishing, camping and visiting with many family and friends, or you could find them going down the road in their motorhome to Tractor Pulls where Wayne competed. She loved to watch and video him pulling and send it to family to watch.  They made many new friends while traveling. 

Some of the many things that Elizabeth loved to do was play baseball, curling, and playing hockey.  Many days or night you could find her down at the ballpark or at a rink of some sort either playing or watching.  She enjoyed going for coffee with friends and family to catch up on all the gossip or what the kids were up to.

Elizabeth’s biggest love was for the thrill of the Rodeo and Fairs.  Throughout her life she attended countless shows.  In the latest years she would love to watch Steven and Maccoy compete in the chuckwagons and to watch Reed on his horse and cheer the loudest out there.  At every rodeo she attended, you could find her right upfront of the stands waving and cheering on the competitors as they go by.  Darrien and Elizabeth were very close, spending countless hours and days hanging out playing cards, games, fishing, camping and he was even able to get her to go quadding and snowmachining even though she hated the cold.

Family meant everything to Elizabeth and would put them first ahead of herself with no questions asked.

Elizabeth leaves to mourn, her partner Wayne Schell, and her children Joanne (Steven), Kirt (Kim), grandchildren Darrien Armistead, Maccoy Galloway, Reed Galloway, Garnett Hendrickson, Shylo Hendrickson, Jade Armistead, Phoenixx Armistead, and 1 great grandchild, brother Gordon Ray (Bonnie), and sisters Edwina Lambert, Elaine (Carman)Currah, and many nieces and nephews.

Elizabeth is predeceased by her parents Ernest and Bertha Ray, sisters Fay Foster, Jean (Clara) Hogg, Florence Foster, brothers Randy Ray, Robert Ray, Terry Ray, Kenny Ray, and Sheldon Ray, and niece Diane Foster.

Rest In Peace

If friends so desire, memorial donations in memory of Elizabeth may be made to Big Woody Community Centre c/o Glen Eggie RR#1 Comp 33 Swan River, MB R0L 1Z0 or CancerCare Manitoba Foundation 675 McDermot Ave Room ON1160 Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9.