Messages for Betty from Goats-UK
Thank you for passing the news on Jewls. My thoughts and prayers are with Betty's family. What a very sad loss to us all. May she rest in peace with her dear husband and her friends who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Sara.
I am heartbroken in losing dear Betty. All last night she was on my mind and I kept sending her the message, Betty dear Betty, over and over. Perhaps she was crossing the bridge at that very time. What I do know is that the world, and we, have lost a beautiful friend. She will always be there at Arapawa with her beloved goats.
Carolyn, Chino Valley, AZ
This is a sad day for goatlovers around the world...... I feel like I have lost a sister... I always felt a special connection to Betty, since she came, originally, from about 25 miles from me in southeast Pennsylvania ... She understood and got a laugh out of my old PA Dutch sayings...... and could recall many places that I mentioned in posts... I shall truly miss her bright and often funny posts....
Joan Stump, USA
Oh dear, oh my, I just do not know what to say, I am saddened to hear about Betty that fought so hard for her beloved goats, I really do not know what to say. Words are not there or enough to put in a post at this time.
Juanita in the States
I am another lost for words......... I am saddened Betty has gone but hope she is in a better place with her husband and her goats. Condolences to her family.
Anne, Western Australia
The sad news none of us wanted to hear. We have all lost a very dear and loving friend, the goat world has lost a unique goatkeeper and the world in general has lost an immensely brave and courageous lady.
With love to her family, friends and all whose lives were touched by her.
Christine.
Betty, there are so many memories we feel blessed to have had the friend we had in you. We are so sorry not to be there to celebrate your life; there is much to celebrate in a special person such as you.
You leave a huge legacy of love and example - you fought so honestly for what you believed. Your loyalty and integrity set an example which will live on in our memories.
And now you are at rest - free from pain and worry. It is now time for others to continue what you and Walter started.
Farewell Betty, dearest friend, and thank you, so much.
We send our loving thoughts to Betty's family as you all face the loss of such a special Mum, Nana and "Goat Nana."
With Love,
Pamela and John Gibbs
We are so sorry to hear this sad news about Betty. We know she is resting peacefully in God's loving arms. We send our prayers to her family and friends.
Priscilla Rose, Stafford County VA
So sad to hear the news. I was just thinking that we all like to think that we will leave our mark on this world when we go. The mark left by the majority of us will only be noticed by our families and immediate circle of friends. Then there are those who leave their mark on the whole world by their evil and wrong doings. Finally, there are a few who leave their worldwide mark by their good deeds and I place Betty in this final group. Her determination in defending the Arapawas was second to none and I held her in the highest regard. She fought every battle and never looked for personal gain. An outstanding lady who will be greatly missed.
"Words cannot always say that which is in the heart"
Alberta
And so ends the last chapter, in this amazing woman's life, I can only hope that Betty is once again with Walter, like many others I'll remember her fondly. Mum's heard the news, she said that it's upsetting her a bit, because it wasn't the way she wanted to go, knowing Betty she would have preferred to have passed away at home.
Simon and Sandra Jones
Thanks for letting us know Julie.
Deepest sympathy, love and hugs to her family and friends. She will be sadly missed on Earth, but has gone home safely now.
Joyce
I wanted you all to know that every time I begin to read the news about Betty and her passage, I simply cannot write about it or get into it and read about it - I am sick at heart for this and need to mourn in silence. I'm sorry......but please pass along my condolences to her family - it has just been hard to see her go.....
Betsy
Dear Mitch and family,
It is with great sadness that I have just heard the news of Betty's death. I speak for all in RBST in UK, who had heard of your mother's work through our journal, when I say that the memory of her courageous stand against bureaucracy will live long in our minds and act as an inspiration to those who follow on in the cause of conserving the precious animals of this planet. She seems like an old friend to many of us though in my case I only came actively onto the Arapawa scene last Christmas. I shall treasure her book and her strident messages about her beloved goats. My family and I have you and yours in our minds at this time.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Titley
The TV3 link still works. I thought some of you might like to see and hear Betty again talking about her beloved Arapawa goats. I'm sure she will be on all our minds at this sad time:-
http://www.tv3.co.nz/Default.aspx?TabId=209&articleID=52248&cat=84&ce2638=1
Christine.
There are so many of us who have been touched in some way by this warm and loving lady. It seems hard to believe that she has really gone but she will never be forgotten and her loving friendship she always gave out will also be remembered.
Her love of the precious Arapawa goats and her life's work to save them must somehow be continued in her memory and I feel sure that we will do all we can to continue her work.
My love, prayers and deepest sympathy go to her family and friends at this very sad time.
Penny (Oz)
Sorry to hear the sad news. I reckon the Arapawa Goats will be saved now that Betty is in a better place where she will work hard for their conservation. My thought and prayers go out to her family and friends. I have watched the video just now and was delighted to see and hear her. May she rest in peace.
SeánV
Dear group,
On hearing this sad news, unfortunately, I cannot put words to my feelings.
I offer Betty's family my condolences.
However, I am grateful that I live in a time of such wonderful technology. If it wasn't for the internet, I doubt I would have 'met' Betty. As it is, I have been given the opportunity to know this inspirational lady. I hope someone else is able to pick up her baton and run with it.
Sharyn
In spite of being away and 'off air' for a number of days Betty had been in my thoughts often - as with all others in the group I am sure.
Her courage, conviction and strength - a lesson to us all. In spite of our desire to keep her in this world, none of us would have wished her to suffer longer or be frustrated by any inability to live the active life which she had formerly achieved. For us there will be an empty space which she filled with such zest and enthusiasm.
'Hugs, Betty' and a joyous arrival among your loved ones once more.
Condolences and a cherished collection of happy memories to all the family.
Sincerely,
Kyra (Wales U.K.)
How sad for us who remain and remember her with great admiration. What a great loss to the goat world and the goats of Arapawa whom she fought for so hard and at what a cost!
Condolences to her family and close friends 'down under', we are still thinking of you - in our hearts and prayers. Betty has gone to a far better place over the Rainbow Bridge to join husband, Walt, and her charges.
Love & Hugs to everyone else who knew her too.
Janice UK
I am very sorry to read that Betty has died. I hope that her work will be carried on as she would have wished.
Rosalind
Tribute to Betty from Mary Critchley:-
May 18 2008 ~ Betty Rowe
It is with great sadness that we must report the death of Betty Rowe. The stroke she suffered on April 25 weakened her irretrievably and she passed quietly away this morning. As the email that sent us the news puts it, "Our love goes out to her family and friends as we each reflect on a life well lived."
Her determination to stand up for what she was convinced was right has been an inspiration. We shall continue to watch the situation on the island and hope that the goats will be championed with all the love and courage that must surely be Betty's legacy to genuine conservation in New Zealand and the world.
http://www.warmwell.com/arapawagoats.html
What a lovely picture Christine.. Thank you... great that they took it on a lovely peaceful day when you think of the storms - both weather and personal - that she has battled on that Island
What a Wonder Woman she was...
Jewls
Absolutely Jewls. And that's "Blizzard" (Blizzy) with her, himself born in a storm and rescued by Betty. I am so glad Betty lived long enough to see the founding of IAGA and hope all involved can pull together and continue the work that Betty and her dear husband Walt dedicated so many years of their lives to.
C.
I can't express my feelings any better than Sharyn did. It was wonderful getting to know her a little and helping in some small way to defend her goats. She stood up for what she knew was right. May we all do the same?
Linda C. McMillan, Hacienda Caprina La Alpinita, Republica Dominicana
Although I had only brief communication with Betty, she came to me as a very warm and lovely person, I only wish I could have got to know her more. The picture of her with Blizzy, and the video link both showed how tirelessly she worked for her beloved goats. May god take care of her and her family.
Sue F.
Very Sad News Indeed but not entirely unexpected. I pass on my sincere sympathies to her Family and many friends and hope that someone does indeed take up the baton and carry on with the work that Betty & Walt started so long ago. God needed someone to 'tend' his heavenly flock & thought of Betty - and who better to take on the task.
Sent with deepest sympathies.
Jean
I'm so very sorry to hear about Betty's death. I haven't been on site for a while so didn't know she'd had a stroke. What a wonderful lady she was. Will her family carry on her crusade for the goats on her island? Please pass on my deepest sympathy to them.
Peggy
Just got back from the Smallholder Show to read the news that Betty had gone to join Walt. Kyra, I couldn't improve on what you've said. They're my thoughts entirely.
Margaret (Wales)
Dear Betty
I know I never got to meet you in person or speak to you like the others on G-UK but I would just like to say that I was very sorry to hear of your passing. I know that you spent a lot of time and effort to establish and maintain the Arapawa goats and I am certain the goats and other members appreciated your efforts too.
I know you are in a better place now and you can watch over your beautiful Arapawa goats in heaven.
Love from Rebecca Dauti, Kalama Dairy Goats
For those who knew her she was awesome - passionate, loving, generous, staunchly animal rights, welcoming and wonderful!
I knew her personally only in the past 9 months (after reading and being deeply impressed by her book a few years before), and have felt deeply moved by her passion and work for the Arapawa animals. The work she and Walt did over the past 30+ years in setting up and maintaining the Arapawa Wildlife Sanctuary, fighting DoC and other agencies bent on wildlife destruction, introducing kids to new ways of loving animals and much more - Betty will be much missed for her lovely self and the self-less work she has done for the animals.
Much love to you all,
I know we will do our best continue the important work Betty and Walt have been doing,
K8
Betty was a most wonderful person. She touched so many people for so many reasons. Her life was truly a life well lived. Enthusiastic, strong, brave, intelligent and with a marvellous sense of humor. She would often post an email to see how I was doing, and those posts were always full of love and concern. Who can forget her wild and wonderful emails when we were all playing imaginatory games? I shall miss and honor her always. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of her friends, and in the organization for the Arapawa goats which were so close to her heart. The world was truly a better place because of Betty and her joy for life. We are all blessed that she was part of our lives. I had always hoped to travel to Arapawa but shall have to wait and meet Betty at the Rainbow Bridge or beyond.
Carolyn Chino Valley, AZ
How terribly sad but a blessed release from a semi-existence. Now she will be at peace with Walt and all her charges who have already passed over the bridge.
Please pass my sincere condolences to the family and say they will be in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
I feel as though I have lost a good friend and will miss all the news snippets about her beloved goats and will continue to support her cause as much as one can from the other side of the world.
Sorry I am so late in picking up the message I wasn't on line all weekend and missed the news.
Anne M. Dick, Rowangate Dairy Goats, Ayrshire, Scotland.
It is so sad that I never got to know her. And after she seemed to be doing better! But maybe she is happy the waiting is over, though I don't see how she could bear to leave the goats.
Miranda
Dear Christine,
I am sitting here in tears, having just read of Betty's death at the weekend. I suspect that she was quite formidable when faced with any authority that threatened her (and our) beloved Arapawa goat, yet she was always very kind, gentle and diplomatic to her friends here on G-UK. I, for one, will miss her tremendously, even though I have not been here much recently. I bought her book some years ago, and am truly honoured that she signed it for me.
I will be sending a donation to you soon, Christine, to help to continue Betty's fight for the Arapawa goat.
Love to everyone,
Anna-Marie
Dear Betty, Fondly remembered. Although only known and met briefly your courage inspired us to keep Arapawas. John, Anne and Aly May – and Mia and Pretty Girl.
I have been looking through Betty's pictures and then everyone's wonderful comments about her precious life. I cannot add much as you all express all I have ever felt about her.
One thing I do want to say and that is that to me Betty was my ideal.
A woman who demonstrated with no hesitation that the way to fight battles for what one believes in passionately is with actions and example, courage, clear thinking, persistence, a lot of love and words, not violence and guns.
Go in Peace Betty. Your work will go on.
Julie (Jewls)
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