June 26, 1930 - January 13, 2023
Bev was fiercely independent to the end. 'I'm fine' was her calling card, something we all admired of her. Her life of adventure carried through her whole life. In the 1930's she arrived by steamship to Britannia Mines to start school then onto Smithers BC where she rode horses bareback, skied on wooden slats, rode on rumble seats and running boards with her sister Diane.
In the 1940's and at 17 she started working at MacMillan Bloedel plywood mill where she met a group of lifelong friends 'the girls' These friends met and talked through their changing lives for an amazing 7 decades! There she met and married Art at 21.
Together they adventured and worked hard raising and visiting 4 children, 10 Grandchildren, 10 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren.
In the 1950's they hand cleared stumps for their home in Burnaby. Art said he couldn't afford a tractor so he married Bev. They moved to Coquitlam in the 1960's where there was more than enough snow to shovel! They also bought a run down cabin on the ocean in Buntzen Bay where the brought supplies in by boat and worked and worked until it became a fantastic waterfront retreat. In the 1970's they retired to Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island where Bev was a carpenter, drywaller, landscaper and cook, hand building their retirement house over several years. They lived there for 20+ years canning salmon, gardening and making lots and lots of friends and splitting lots and lots of firewood. Bev was very active in fundraising and special events at the Nanoose Library. She loved to tell everyone she had become a 'Happy Hooker' doing traditional rug hooking with a great group of friends that she socialized and traveled with.
After Art died in 1997 she continued volunteering and traveling. In the 2000's Bev moved to Pitt Meadows where she immersed herself in various committees, craft projects and volunteer work. She received many accolades and certificates for her work including the Seniors steering committee where she helped bring the new Seniors Centre to fruition. Her friendships grew and her regular rug hooking meetings had a very special meaning to her.
Her travels took her to around the world from kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland to sunrise at Ayers Rock in Australia. She broke her arm in Cuba and her jaw at Horseshoe Bay every time saying 'I'm fine'! She beat Cancer and dodged COVID. One tough and independent lady who enjoyed a long life well lived. We are proud of you and we love you too!
If you like, support your favourite charity. Bev supported the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation and Variety Club.