BEVERLEY ANNE CURRIE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

BEVERLEY ANNE CURRIE (nee Blanchard) It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our mother, grandmother and sister, Beverley Anne Currie, May 1, 2011 aged 79. She was dearly loved and is survived by her two children, Cameron and Margaret, son-in-law Mark West, grandsons Simon and Samuel Currie West, brother David Blanchard, sisters-in law Jacqui Blanchard and Mary Currie, and her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Barrie Norris Currie who passed away October 7, 2005. Beverley was born November 4, 1931 in Winnipeg, MB and it was here she lived most of her life. She graduated from Kelvin High School, and went on to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Manitoba, following the path of her mother and grandmother, also graduates in Fine Arts and accomplished artists. After graduation from university, Beverley married Barrie Norris Currie, to whom she was happily married for 49 years. Beverley was employed in a variety of jobs throughout the different stages of her life. Before the birth of her children, she was an instructor in drawing and painting, and also worked in a chemistry-testing lab for Robin Hood Foods. When her children were school-aged, she was an active volunteer: teaching Sunday School in the nursery at St. Aidan's Anglican Church, serving as secretary for the Sir John Franklin Community Centre Executive and Ladies' Auxiliary, campaigning and scrutineering for the Liberal party (federal and provincial), and canvassing and coordinating canvassers for the Canadian Cancer Society. Later on in life, Beverley worked for the Census, and held a position as telephone business interviewer for Statistics Canada, where she worked until her retirement. She was a dedicated, diligent worker, often taking work home, despite the disgruntlement of her demanding family. Beverley shared enviably close relationships with her mother, Margaret Blanchard (née Webb), and her grandmother, Gertrude Higbee. She phoned them almost every day during their senior years, and was available for anything they needed. One of Beverley's most fondly remembered experiences was a month-long trip she and her mother took to Tours, France in the 1980s, where they studied French at the University of Tours. Beverley was an eccentric and sometimes willful person. She was passionate about the arts - classical music in particular. She played the piano and loved the piano works of Mozart and Beethoven. She was also intrigued by unusual films with perplexing twists, and was always eager to discuss them afterwards, in order to deepen her understanding. Her interests were broad, as she also had a great passion for solving geometric and logic puzzles, which she worked on almost every day. Beverley had a very gentle and generous personality. She also loved all animals and birds. Throughout her life she rescued many injured birds, including robins, sparrows and cedar waxwings, nursing them back to health until they were able to live on their own, or if not, transported them safely to the wildlife bird sanctuary. She was patient, kind and dedicated in her nursing of them, reading up on what type of food and nesting materials they required. Family and friends were most important to Beverley. Her two grandchildren, Simon and Samuel were the light of her life. She doted on them shamelessly, and extolled even their smallest of accomplishments, as utterly amazing! She had a small group of friends that she remained very loyal and close to throughout her adult years. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Aidan's Anglican Church, 274 Campbell St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Manitoba Wildlife Rehabilitation Organization, Wildlife Haven Box 147, Winnipeg, MB R3V 1L5.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 07, 2011