BEATRICE GROSS

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BEATRICE GROSS

On December 3, 2025, Beatrice “Bea” Lena Gross (née Hoffart) was chosen by God to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. She passed peacefully, with her family by her side.

Bea was predeceased by her husband Hugo in 1979; her parents Annie and August Hoffart; her sisters Monica, Cecile (Andy) Tryhuba, and Martha (Bill) Edmonds; and her brother, Ed (Madelaine). Holding her in loving memory are her nine children: Marie (Marty), Eileen (Guy), Randal, Annette, Theresa, Ken (Shawna), Wayne (Debbie), Glen, Pat (Tracy); 19 grandchildren: Jennifer (Serge), Kristy, Tiffany (Kirk), Jonathan, Natalie, Stefan, Rachelle, Haley, Shae, Hanna, Laura, Kristen, Jeffrey, Alex, Genna, Hope, Raegan, Sydney, and Jack; two great-grandchildren: Hadley and Cole; sisters Helen Hoffart and Deanna (Eugene) Frison; and a host of dear friends from her church community.

Born in Tramping Lake, Saskatchewan, Bea spoke favourably of her childhood, saying that she grew up in both a farm and a town setting. Her father owned the town’s general store, a “Lucky Dollar.” After high school, she moved to “the big city” of Saskatoon to attend “Normal School,” which was Teacher’s College. A teacher to the end, Bea would have never known at this time just how many individuals she would end up teaching and guiding throughout her life. From sharing Dick and Jane books with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, to offering gentle wisdom about life and love, Bea’s patience and nurturing ability were beautiful gifts she shared with all.

After one year, she got her teaching certificate and taught for three years in the country school that was close to home. While taking a summer course, Bea met Hugo and they were married in 1953. In the first year of their marriage, Bea taught at Saskatoon’s School for the Deaf, which she really enjoyed.

Hugo’s work moved him and Bea to Brandon in 1954 where they lived on Brandon’s Research and Development Centre, with their seven children. In 1967, Hugo moved the family to Ottawa so they could experience the World Expo held in Montreal that year. Bea said she would never forget the beautiful tulips in Ottawa, but found their apartment’s stove gave her so much frustration. An excellent cook and baker, Bea could often be found in her kitchen making family favourites like gingerbread, Valentine’s Day cookies, pizza, soup, date cake, mashed potatoes, roast, chocolate cake, jams, jellies, figgy pudding, and of course, pie. You never left her house empty-handed or unfed.

Bea was a woman of unwavering faith; she did everything and helped everyone, with nothing but kindness, everywhere she went. Her prayers were powerful and plentiful. She devoted much of her time, energy, and love to The Catholic Women’s League. She served on the Manitoba Provincial Council Executive in the following roles: Recording Secretary (1987-1989), Christian Family Life (1989-1991 and 1999-2001), Spiritual Development and 1st Vice President (1991-1993), Organization and President-Elect (1993-1995), President (1995-1997), Past President (1997-1999), and Life Member Liaison (2003-2005). She became a Life Member in 1999, which she said was, “pretty special.” Bea created many fond memories as she travelled from coast to coast with the CWL. She was very proud of her work and her membership with the Catholic Women’s League.

She received a Catholic Women’s League of Canada Maple Leaf Service Pin for serving the League and the St. Augustine parish community in an exceptional manner. She served on the admissions committee for Hobbs Manor for 9 years, helped with masses at Fairview for many years, and was on the Parish Catholic School Board for 5 years.

A life-long learner, Bea completed the 3-year Nathanael course, which ended with her touring Egypt, Jerusalem, and Israel. She also took the tour extension to Italy where she got to Rome and Assisi and heard Pope John Paul II. She said this was a, “very great highlight in my life and made my religion very real and important.”

Other notable travelling adventures include Lac la Ronge, Kelowna, Disneyworld, Capistrano, touring Europe with her sister (Monica) and their parents, Costa Rica, an Alaskan Cruise, and seeing “Gross Lake,” a tiny lake in northern Saskatchewan, which was named for Hugo’s father and his contributions to the province.

Bea’s strength, energy, and ability to live a full life everyday will continue to inspire all who knew her. She was the embodiment of love. It didn’t matter how often you saw her, or where you lived, she never made you doubt her love. Her days were spent acknowledging every birthday, anniversary, illness, life event, and more through phone calls, cards, or notes written in perfect penmanship. She was fiercely proud of her family and their achievements, especially their combined 31 degrees and diplomas. She loved the beauty of nature and looked forward to the first crocus in spring and the blooming of her mother’s rose bush on her birthday. She had a most unforgettable laugh and was always smiling. Her kindness and love simply made the world a better place.

While we grieve her passing, we find solace in knowing that we will one day be reunited in God’s eternal kingdom. We will honour her life at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church on December 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Augustine’s Catholic Women’s League. Donate via etransfer to finance@staug.ca.

Rely on your faith and prayer, and that help is there for you when you need it. The right person was always there when I needed help. It’s all pre-planned, – Bea Gross.

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 10, 2025