BEATRICE ELIZABETH KAYE

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BEATRICE ELIZABETH KAYE Beatrice Elizabeth Kaye passed away peacefully on May 6, 2014 at Golden West Centennial Lodge, Winnipeg, MB at the age of 96. Bea was predeceased by her parents Gordon and Florence Goslin, her brother Doug Golsin, her first husband Frank Lewis who was killed in action in the Second World War in 1942, and her second husband Bill Kaye who died in 2005 after a wonderful 59 year marriage. She was also predeceased by her daughter Dianne Woods in 2011 and by her daughter-in-law Lori Kaye in 1995. Bea was born September 15, 1917 in Cartwright, Manitoba. She was active as a young person in a number of sports and church activities. She grew so attached to St. James that she spent her entire life there. Bea and Bill raised their family of six children in St. James and both became pillars of the community. In 1953 she and Bill started a new adventure by acquiring a 99 year lease on a lot at Falcon Lake for $10.00. The cottage which they constructed became the center of family life and remains so to this day. The family ended many summers by watching or joining her in swimming across the lake. Above all Bea loved her family and had great joy raising her six children, Alan Lewis (Pat), Dianne Woods (Chris), Carol Ryland (Ralph), Elaine Owen (Don), Linda Kaye (Tom Thompson) and Bill Kaye (Patti). After Bill retired in 1986, he and Bea spent their winters in Orlando, Florida where they loved having family and friends visit. Bea had great pleasure in having her grandchildren around her, especially at Falcon Lake and in Florida. Days sitting on the dock, playing in the water, canoe rides or boat cruises seemed endless and hold fond memories for all of us. There were never too many trips to Sea World or Disney World! Her grandchildren, Brian Lewis, David Woods (Heather), Mark and Scott Ryland, Josh Owen (Cait), Samantha Murata (Chris), Paul and Eric Thompson, and Christina and Aaron Kaye, Jeffery Hamilton, Kristin Doherty (Joe), and Anthony Gibson were all fortunate to have a remarkable woman as a grandmother and will each have their own special memories of her. Bea spent many hours as an active member of the church, volunteering at the community club and teaching swimming to friends, neighbours and at the YMCA. Her circle of friends included neighbours from St. James and Falcon Lake, members of St. James Anglican Church, the Mother's Union, her sewing club and bridge club, families from the Air Force Reserve, Cowin Steel and Bourkevale Community Centre. The third generation arrived at a different time in Bea's life when the family had moved to various cities and chasing after young children was no longer an every day activity. However, Bea still loved hearing about all her great-grandchildren, seeing pictures and enjoying their visits. Bea's six great-grandchildren are Zoe Ryland, Austin and Hannah Woods, Hunter Murata, and Ava and Leland Doherty. Mom's greatest gift was her ability to focus on the good and keep moving forward. There was always a new adventure, someone who could use a helping hand, or just a wonderful day to embrace and enjoy. We all miss her cheerfulness and compassion. You have left a high standard for us to reach! The family would like to thank the staff of Golden West Centennial Lodge for the exceptional care, companionship and compassion with which they treated Bea. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Bea Kaye will be held Friday, July 18 at 1:00 p.m., Saint James the Assiniboine Anglican Heritage Church, 195 Tylehurst Street, across from Polo Park Shopping Centre. The interment will follow immediately in the adjacent cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Golden West Centennial Lodge or the St. James Cemetery.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 12, 2014