BEATRICE MARIE MACKENZIE

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BEATRICE MARIE MACKENZIE (nee EASTCOTT) May 31, 1931 - October 12, 2015 Beatrice died peacefully at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg after a brief illness. Bea was predeceased by Rod, her loving husband of 54 years. She leaves behind her loving family - daughters Laurie (Kerry), Heather (Bill), son Ken (Sharleen), grandchildren Hugh, Kaitlin, and Scott, great-grandchildren Maddox, Remi, and Coralie, and niece Inga. Bea grew up in Gilbert Plains and Dauphin, Manitoba with her parents Dick and Ruby, and her younger brother Bill. She excelled in academics and music, and became a wonderful piano player. Bea attended Normal School (teacher's college) in Winnipeg, where she formed lifelong friendships with a group of classmates. She met Rod when he was teaching in her hometown of Gilbert Plains. After marrying in 1953, Bea and Rod moved to Winnipeg and bought a home on Beaverbrook Street, where they lived for the rest of their married life. Bea stayed home while the children were young. She was a gifted seamstress, and used her skills to sew clothes for the children and herself. Always patient, kind and loving, she is remembered by her children with great love and fondness. Eventually, she returned to the teaching profession at Harrow and Greenway schools as a teacher-librarian, finally retiring in 1986. She pursued a wide range of interests and passions, from tennis, music, cycling and gardening to travelling the world with Rod, including trips to the Soviet Union, China, and the Middle East. Reading was ever an important part of her life, and she remained well informed and interested in world events until her life's end. Bea was renowned in the family for clipping newspaper stories and sending them to individuals she thought would enjoy them. In her later years, Bea could be found spending time with family, visiting the English Garden at Assiniboine Park, or laughing and socializing with friends in her bridge club of 60 plus years. She loved her life at the Wellington Retirement Home, happily surrounded by friends and acquaintances. Bea carried on a heroic struggle against chronic pain, seldom complaining, and living life with a positive outlook that inspired those around her. Six years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer, but carried on and enjoyed the years she had left to the fullest. She is greatly missed. The family wishes to thank Dr. Borrett and the staff from 5 North at the Grace Hospital for their care and kindness. Donations in Bea's name can be made to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation or the Grace Hospital Foundation. A memorial service will take place on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in the Carlton Room at the Victoria Inn, 1808 Wellington Ave. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 14, 2015