(nee Willis)
(Aug. 3, 1929 - Oct. 2, 2008)
Jean passed away peacefully while listening to her favourite hymn “The Old, Old Path” sung by her surrounding family members. She was devoted to her family.
Jean was predeceased by her loving husband Alfred Beer; her parents: Sarah and G.H. Willis; her brother, Bud; and her grandson, Shaun McAdam.
She is survived by her siblings: Gwyn (Tom) Beer, Joy Henry, Eber (Marg) Willis, and Grace-Ann (Bill) Bavington, her children: Kathy (Gary) McAdam, Gwyn, Doug, Dan (Terri), Don (Shelley), Patti (Steve Church) and Andrew (Brigitte), her grandchildren: Clark, Sarah, Shannon, Joy, Derek, James, Celina, Haydyn, Devon, Austin, Darien, Kinsey and Desmond; and her two great-grandchildren, Derek and Myko.
Born in Hamilton, she grew up near the quarries and mining camps of northern Ontario. Jean graduated from the nursing program at Grace Hospital in Toronto and moved west to work at Grace Hospital in Vancouver.
A lifelong member of the Community of Christ, she met the handsome young preacher, Alfred Beer, and they were married on March 31, 1954. Their first home was in a logging camp in Quesnel, where their eldest daughter was born. They then settled in Chilliwack in March, 1955 where they raised their family of seven children.
Jean opened her arms and her house to everyone whether it was a church member passing through Chilliwack or one of her children’s many friends; there was always a bed to sleep in and room at the dinner table. All who sat at her table were blessed by her love.
Jean was a sweet lady with a kind and gentle disposition who supported her husband’s ministry. She eventually became an ordained minister herself and was devoted to helping others including many charitable organizations such as: the Canadian Diabetes Association, World Accord, the Community of Christ church camping programs at Samish Island, and at the YMCA helping with swimming programs for MS patients.
Her wonderful giggles at the end of each sentence, her gift for making you feel welcome, her tireless volunteer efforts and her playful sense of humour will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean’s memory to her favourite charities: the Samish Island foundation (contact Bill Thederahn at
604-461-0753), World Accord (www.worldaccord.org), or the Canadian Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.ca).
The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the doctors and staff at Chilliwack General Hospital and the Waverly Seniors Village for their compassionate care of Jean.
Her memorial service will be held at Henderson’s Funeral Home in Chilliwack at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, October 7, 2008.
LOVE NEVER DIES