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Beatrice May “Bea” morris

July 24, 2007

Beatrice May “Bea” Morris (nee: McSkimming) late of The Birchwood Retirement Center, Chilliwack, B.C., passed away on July 24th, 2007 at Chilliwack General Hospital, after a brief, but courageous battle with cancer. Bea was born June 24th, 1926 in Vancouver, B.C. and had just celebrated her 81st birthday a month prior to her passing.

Mom was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and lifelong friend to many who knew her.

She is survived by her three sons: Ken (Janet) Morris, Steve (Denise) Morris, Brad (Janine) Morris and four grandchildren, Lisa, Amanda, Pamela, and Scott, her sister Agnes Yargeau (Penhold, Alberta), brother James McSkimming (Vancouver, B.C.), and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Sidney “Bud” Morris in January 1991, and a baby son in July of 1948.

Mom grew up in the east end of Vancouver. She attended Laura Secord Elementary School.

During the war years, mom worked at an aircraft wing manufacturing plant, where she had to travel by tram and a barge to get to work every day. She met “Bud” in 1945 and they were married in October of 1946.

In 1947 dad started his career with B.C. Electric (now B.C. Hydro) and they moved to Chilliwack to start their newly married lives together.

After many years of raising her family, mom started volunteering at her much loved Occupational Center at Sunshine Drive, now known as Chilliwack Society for Community Living. She eventually became a paid staff member, working for some 16 years until her “first retirement”.

After dad passed away in 1991, she returned once again to Sunshine Drive to help out in the workshop as a staff member. Many of her stories and favorite memories are of working with her “kids” and the staff at the “O.C.”

Mom was also an active member for many years of the Sunshine Drive Ladies Auxiliary and maintained close friendships with many of the volunteers up until her passing. In previous years she had also actively volunteered for the Ladies Legion Auxiliary, Anavets, and the 6th Chilliwack Scout Group.

Bea’s hobbies were her garden every summer, picking blackberries, canning, crafts, sewing, and most of all her wonderful Saturday baking days. Mom also loved to be active and she had been involved in bowling, darts, curling, and in later years, her morning aqua-fit sessions at the YMCA.

Her and dad had also enjoyed a love for the outdoors, and spent many summers camping and fishing around B.C.

A memorial service and tea for “Bea” will be held on Saturday, August 18th, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Henderson’s Funeral Home, Chilliwack, BC. Arlene Kropp officiating. Cremation, Valley Crematorium, Chilliwack, B.C.

The family would like to especially thank The Birchwood staff for the love and great care they gave to our mom over the last four years. Also to Dr. Mcleod for many years of his service and friendship to mom, Dr. Van der Watt and the nursing staff on NU5 at Chilliwack General Hospital. The Home Care Support that mom received at the Birchwood and the wonderful Care Aids at the Chilliwack General Hospital made mom’s last few months humour-filled, and tolerable. Thanks for your extra loving and support to our family as well, Kate and Matt.

If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, or the Chilliwack Society for Community Living in mom’s name.



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