In Memoriam: Betty Anne Graves
Building a new trail is a labour of love for your community, and that’s a good thing.
– Betty Anne Graves
It was with heavy hearts that we learned of the passing of Betty Anne Graves, a former Trans Canada Trail board director (from 2009 to 2015), committee member and a longtime champion of the Trail.
When the vision of a national trail was first introduced to the public in the early 1990s, Betty Anne embraced it. She attended the founding conference for the Trans Canada Trail in Banff in 1994 and believed in what people working together could create: a trail connecting communities across the country. Years later, in 2017, that is exactly what she helped to accomplish – the Trans Canada Trail was officially connected from coast to coast to coast.
Betty Anne Graves, Linda Strong Watson and Meghan Reddick at a Calgary event in 2023.
“Betty Anne truly was a force of nature and she gave so much of herself to the Trans Canada Trail,” says Mathieu Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Trans Canada Trail. “Her passion and energy made a lasting difference over decades and I know she touched many people along the way.”
Betty Anne loved being in nature and worked to create opportunities for other people to have outdoor experiences that would enrich their lives. Prior to joining the Trans Canada Trail Board of Directors, she helped develop trails with the Alberta TrailNet Society, joining its Board of Directors in 1996 and later becoming President. She also represented Alberta TrailNet Society at the national level with Trans Canada Trail.
The Honourable Peter Lougheed and Betty Anne Graves attend the unveiling of the Canmore Pavilion on June 4, 2005.
In 2008, Trans Canada Trail named Betty Anne Volunteer of the Year, recognizing her commitment to the vision of a trail connecting people and communities from coast to coast to coast. In her nomination of Betty Anne for this award, Linda Strong-Watson (former Executive Director, Alberta TrailNet Society) said she “understands and promotes the Trans Canada Trail as one of those unique and special ties that binds diverse people, communities, provinces and territories to each other and to the natural world we all enjoy and for which each of us has a deep responsibility.”
Upon accepting the Volunteer of the Year award, Betty Anne said, “I believe trails provide an opportunity for everyone to get out and experience our wonderful country in a healthy, active way. I am proud to be among those who venture on to complete this enormous project.”
Following Betty Anne’s final term as a member of the Trail Planning Committee and Grants Committee in 2017, Trans Canada Trail’s Board of Directors celebrated her many years of contributions and accomplishments, expressing their thanks for her dedication to the continued development of the Trans Canada Trail.
The Honourable Peter Lougheed and Betty Anne Graves cut the ribbon at the Canmore Pavillion opening ceremony, June 4, 2005.
“Betty Anne was so much more than a dedicated champion of the Trans Canada Trail; she was a dear friend and trusted confidante to me throughout my years as CEO,” says Deborah Apps, former Chief Executive Officer, Trans Canada Trail (2008-2020). “She and Don were always there with their support, encouragement and friendship, and I will always be grateful for that. She was a truly lovely woman — kind, caring and quietly determined. I will remember her with great affection, both for the lasting legacy she helped create and for the very special friend she was to me.”
Our thoughts are with Betty Anne’s family and everyone who had the good fortune to know and work alongside her. Through her generosity, determination and belief in what trails can bring to communities, Betty Anne helped shape a trail system that people will enjoy for generations to come.
