BEATRICE CATHERINE PETERSEN

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BEATRICE CATHERINE PETERSEN Bea's spirit soared from the frailty of this life to begin anew at sunrise on December 20, 2010. We are heartbroken to have her leave us, but comforted that she has been able to approach death on her own terms, at home, surrounded by the strength and love of her family. Bea was born on February 5, 1938 to Hubert and Clementine McDonald. Her little brother Stewart completed their family. Her childhood was filled with adventures, growing up in a multi-generational home on the farm. Her grandmother was a strong, determined woman who passed those qualities on to Bea. As a beautiful young woman, Bea met Ben at a dance, and their life together began. On September 24, 1955 they married. They farmed together, taking over and expanding the homestead Bea grew up on. Through the good and bad times, Bea was the strong and supportive rock that Ben relied on. Bea's greatest treasure and legacy is her family. Pearl and Doug could not have had a better mother - always supporting, guiding, and celebrating our lives. She welcomed, loved and nurtured her in-law children, Mark and Mary Anne as though they were her very own. Her grandsons, Steven and Robert have been blessed to grow up in their own multi-generational home, with Grandma just a few steps away, always ready to have a conversation about anything, teach them how to cook her specialties, discuss the latest political news, or just spend time being together. Recently she delighted in the discovery of another grandson, and welcomed James with open arms. Intelligent, resourceful, determined, compassionate, opinionated, a fabulous cook, world-class knitter, passionate gardener, and our rock. We will try to carry on with the strength that she has modeled for us, though our lives will never be quite the same. Bea is survived by her husband Ben, children Pearl and Mark Holt, Doug Petersen and Mary Anne Gordon, grandsons Steven and Robert Holt and James Carter, her Petersen Family - Herdis Lindblom, Lois Lindblom, Donna and Kim Henderson (Carling, Kayla and Andrew), Harry and Maureen Petersen (Erik, Desiree, Rod and Kurt), and Betty and Greg McDonald. She was predeceased by her parents, and her beloved brother Stew. Bea and her family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Rick Lindenschmidt and Dr. Habtu Demsas for their excellent care and compassion through her medical journey, to Mom's Angels at the Selkirk Dialysis Unit for their excellent care, to Roberta for always going above and beyond and being a good friend and advocate, to the Selkirk Home Care Team - and especially Candyce for helping make the end more comfortable, Larry and Wendy Jackson for always being there, and to our family, friends and neighbours for spending time with Bea as she ended her journey through this life. Your presence and support have been a great comfort to her and to us. At her request, no funeral will be held. Bea has asked that her family and friends commit her ashes back to nature when the flowers are blooming again, and we will do so. In lieu of sending flowers, the family asks that you plant something beautiful next summer, and enjoy it while it lasts. Death is not the end of who we are. It is only a brief pause in the endless cycle of our lives. Each of us is a spirit that cannot die. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 25, 2010