Beatrice Lillian (White) Hamilton

--as read by Mindi Irvine (granddaughter) at Bea's Memorial Service

Beatrice Lillian Hamilton (Bea as most people knew her), my Grandma, was born in a Shellbrook, Saskatchewan nursing facility on September 18, 1922. When her mother, Ethel White, was ready to deliver, the doctor was away on holidays. With past births, Ethel didn't have much notice so she went by horse and buggy to stay at the Shellbrook nursing facility so she could be near a nurse by the name of Mrs. Morrison. They stayed up late playing cards until 11:00 PM with no sign of any labor pains--but Bea was born two hours later at 1:00 AM. As the sixth child, it was a quick and easy delivery!! After giving birth to five boys, (the third brother lived only 14 hours). It was hard to believe they actually had a girl this time.

After leaving the nursing home, they took baby Beatrice home to a little house they called the "green house" in Parkside, Saskatchewan. The old house was drafty and was heated with only an old wood stove. At nine months Bea came down with bronchitis and whooping cough at the same time, then again at two years old she had pneumonia and measles at the same time. Bea's poor Dad stayed up all night to make sure Bea didn't get uncovered even though he had to go to work the next day. He cried and said, "We have waited all this time to get a girl and now we are not going to be able to keep her." Somehow Bea recovered. Two more boys were born shortly after Bea and one last boy, Wilson, was born eight years later. The family had all the childhood diseases: German measles, red measles, mumps, whooping cough, chicken pox, scarlet fever, and even later, small pox. Those days they quarantined families and it seemed like as soon as they were allowed to be free, one of the other eight children came down with another disease and then there was another quarantine! With a houseful of boys; even when sick, they had a lot of energy,

At the age of six, Mother Ethel, and four of her children moved to Vancouver. It was here Bea started school. They were "prairie kids" going to school with "city kids." The only school strapping Bea ever received was that year. Bill and Bea were sent to the principal several times because they were late, but the truth was they tried to be late because they didn't want to interact with the other kids. During that year in Vancouver, Bea had German measles and was even sicker than with the measles a few years earlier. At this time, Bill and Bea developed a "lifelong bond" that would later give them the basics to live together in their nineties!

Their dad’s promised job didn’t work out in Vancouver, so the family moved back to Saskatchewan where Dad had a good job managing a grain elevator. Bea and the boys seemed happy to be back in Parkside where Bea excelled in school and in sports but their mother was not happy to be back. Bea took piano lessons from her mother who at that time was playing for dances. Soon after, her mother took an interest in God and the Seventh-day Adventist church. And all the children followed. Their lives were forever changed. It was here in Parkside that the family lived until 1940 when they moved to Victoria, on Vancouver Island. They later moved to more rural Saanich, which became home for Bea for the next two years.

Times were hard during the war, but all the children were able to find work at Blake's Seed Farm near Victoria. Bea did mainly weeding in the summer and "sorting" peas in the fall. She was happy on Vancouver Island and had a lot of friends there. It was there the boys looked for wives in each new school teacher that came to Victoria. In 1941, Bea met a man at church by the name of Wallie Hamilton. Wallie worked on Vancouver Island and then moved back where his parents were in Chilliwack. Wallie and Bea wrote lots of letters and visited occasionally until December 28, 1943, when they were married in Victoria. Two years later they were expecting their first child, and were totally surprised when their girl, Nancy Jean, was born. They, of course, were expecting a boy.

Their first years of marriage, Wallie and Bea lived on a small rented farm on Promontory Hill in Chilliwack. They had cattle and grew fruit and vegetables. Life wasn't easy and they both worked hard, often without enough food for the winter. By 1949, another child, Melvin Leslie, was added to the family and the little house was far too small. They obtained 4 1/2 acres from Grandpa’s farm, also on Promontory, and here they built their first real house. They did much of the work themselves. Around this time Wallie took over his Dad’s farm. This meant a little more income, and a LOT more work. Since in the 1940's it was difficult to make a living, Wallie began construction work in Chilliwack, in addition to the farm work. Bea did not enjoy the country life--especially being home with two small children without a car, even though her home had the most beautiful view. In 1954 they sold the 4 1/2 acres and purchased two building lots in Chilliwack. Wallie was working full-time in construction now and Jeanne was in school. The couple did pretty much all of the work on this house, except for the framing. They moved into the basement while they finished the upstairs rooms. They continued with the farm mainly growing fruit and vegetables while they rented out the pasture.

In 1955 they began to build a rental house on the lot next door. Bea couldn't help as much with this house since she was pregnant with her third child. Alan Wesley was born in January, 1957. Alan had a built-in babysitter. Jeanne was 11 and always chose to watch baby brother over working outside. The family worked long and hard but always made work educational and fun.

In 1963, Wallie began his own business. Bea helped greatly by doing all the accounting, billing and income tax. Bea also obtained her class 2 driver's license and began driving the bus for Fraser Valley Adventist Academy. Later she drove 40-passenger buses for the Chilliwack School District for seven years. She also drove a Lions’ Easter Seal bus, which she enjoyed even more. She made a scrap book of letters and notes these children gave her in thanks for her interest in them. Bea drove a 80-passenger bus into Vancouver for special events and outings. She turned in her class 2 license just before turning 80. She had never had an accident, but her children worried that in the unfortunate case of an accident, the news spreading that the bus driver was an 80-year-old woman would not be good! Bea was sad to leave the children and missed them.

Bea loved music and so she purchased a piano and organ with some of her bus-driving money. She filled much of her time with piano and organ music. She sang in trios, duets, choir and especially enjoyed musical groups with her brothers. She was the church pianist and organist along with other church responsibilities for about 40 years.

Bea was a good cook and everyone was always welcome at her table. She loved nature and camping especially all over B. C. first in a tent, later a camper, and then a motor home. It is that motor home that we grand kids remember hanging out in every year, growing up at Hope Campmeeting. Bea was one of the longest attendees of the full week of Hope Campmeeting as she never missed a Campmeeting from the time it started through 2017. This summer, 2018, was the first summer she missed.

She still found time to can an enormous amount of fruit and made many kinds of delicious dried fruit each summer. She loved to travel especially to Hawaii and Europe with family. She was sharp with table games and up until a few months ago could win at a game of "Rook."

Grandchildren remember Grandma's chocolate-chip cookies especially and her famous "gluten steaks." They say she always spent time with them and they played lots of games together. They remember she let them play her organ.

In 1992, Wallie and Bea sold their home in Chilliwack and purchased a home in Sardis. They very much enjoyed this home, the neighbors, the neighborhood and the adjoining golf course. Wallie built on a garage and a work shop on the side of their lot.

Three years later, in 1996, middle child, Mel, passed away from cancer. He only had three weeks as this cancer grew quickly. This was a big blow to Bea and Wallie and life wasn't the same after his death.

In 2002, Wallie began to be a little more disabled because of Parkinson's Disease and his injured back. One day Bea said, "If Dad can't stay here, I won't stay here one night by myself!" This was a real surprise to her children so Alan began to look for a condo closer to him in Abbotsford. He found a nice two-bedroom condo in Centennial Court and they moved in 2005 just after their 60th wedding anniversary.

Wallie didn't get to live long in their new home in Abbotsford. In 2006 he willingly went into Menno Home to get more care. He was suffering more now from back injuries and Parkinson's Disease. He passed away in January of 2007. Bea lived alone for six years and rather enjoyed her independence. She continued to drive and it was very important to her. With all that bus experience, she was a very good driver.

In the winter of 2012, Bea's brother, Bill, lost his wife, Edythe. He came to visit her shortly after. Bea and Bill enjoyed each others company and lived together in Centennial Court for six years. Bill became the caregiver and was a pretty good cook. In August of 2017 Bea fell out of bed and fractured a hip. This meant some time in the hospital and in Worthington Pavilion until she recovered.

In December, 2017, Bea went to Oxford Senior Living to give Bill a break so he could spend time with his family for Christmas. Although a care facility (nursing home, she called it) was her greatest fear, she was amazed that she was very comfortable there and she never complained. She rather enjoyed the freedom and walked all over with her walker. As an extrovert, she could visit with the other residents and participate in activities. In February she was fortunate to move to Mayfair Senior Living which became her home for the rest of her days. She never complained and always said she had everything she needed. She tried to do everything herself and didn't want to be a bother to anyone. She loved ALL the Mayfair staff and they loved her.

Bea knew her days were numbered back in October, 2017, when she was given about six months to live. She lived past that projection by three months. She had a microscopic bleed in her bowel causing severe anemia.

Her last two weeks she slept a lot but still no one heard her complain and she had no pain. She didn’t have much of an appetite but she would always eat ice cream, especially Dairy Queen dilly bars.

She retained her sense of humor right to the end. Four days before her death, we recorded her saying that she wanted to go to Hawaii. She smiled and said she would go if we would take her. She was incredibly unselfish and thought of others more than herself. She was generous (especially with family) but rarely spent money on herself. All her life she was content, without complaints, and had a positive attitude no matter what challenged her.

On July 10, 2018, she took her last breath and passed peacefully. She was buried July 16 with her husband, Wallie. She is close to her son, Mel; her mother, Ethel; and several siblings in the Chilliwack Cemetery. Here she awaits the day she will see us all again.

We miss you Grandma.

Beatrice Lillian Hamilton

Birthplace: Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, Canada

Hometown: Parkside, Saskatchewan; Victoria, BC; Chilliwack, BC; Abbotsford, BC

Names of parents: Ethel Frances (Holman) White and Joseph Andrew "Neilson" White

Occupation: Housewife, Bookkeeper, Fruit farm manager, Bus driver

Surviving relatives:

Bill White, brother

Wilson White, brother

Jeanne (Hamilton) Vories, daughter

Alan Hamilton, son

Mindi (Vories) Irvine, granddaughter

Monte Vories, grandson

Everett Owen Hamilton, grandson

Stephanie Hamilton, granddaughter

Luke Irvine, great grandson

Drew Irvine, grandson

Alex Irvine, grandson

Kasi Irvine, granddaughter

Funeral services:

Graveside: Chilliwack Cemetery, July 16, 2018

Celebration of Life: Abbotsford SDA Church, Abbotsford, BC, August 25, 2018

Hobbies:

Music, gardening, cooking, knitting, sewing, movies, playing table games, camping, canning and drying fruit.

Interests:

birds, flowers, old movies.

Friends:

Many church friends but her brothers and their families were her closest friends.

Organizations:

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Education:

Her only formal education was grade 10. She attended many typing, bookkeeping and other office administration classes in night school through the Chilliwack High School. She took several math and other classes in work toward her high school diploma. Bea was bright and in many ways was self taught as she did all the accounting, taxes, etc. for their family businesses.

Religious background:

None until her mother Ethel (Grandma) White joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Soon after Grandma joined the S.D.A. Church, all the children joined also. Grandpa White remained a strong Christian, probably Presbyterian.

Sports:

Softball, track and field, ice skating, hockey--in her younger years, of course. In her later years, her work was her sports.

Vacations and travel:

Hawaii (Kauai, Oahu, Molokai (with a day trip to Maui), All USA and Canada. Alaska Cruise, United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Germany. She would love to have traveled more.

Pets:

Lots and lots of cats and a couple of dogs.

Retirement: Bea would say that she retired when they sold their farm.

Community involvement: Bea put so much into her church involvement that it mostly became her community involvement. She was always there to help anyone whether church, neighbors, or strangers.

Personality traits:

outgoing--extrovert, independent, easy-going, fun-loving, sense of humor.

MOMENTS IN TIME:

Beatrice will be most remembered for:

a positive attitude

easy-going

playing piano and organ, singing. She loved music.

patient, especially with grand kids

chocolate chip cookies

canning and drying fruit

special holiday "gluten" roast

table games, especially Rook

driving buses, especially larger buses

generous with family

loved to travel

loved camping especially in her motor home

independent

On a rainy day, Beatrice loved to:

play piano and/or organ

listen to her music

watch old movies, record movies

sew

cook

knit

play games

spend time with family

What were the best qualities Beatrice possessed?

She was always positive and didn't let difficult things get her down. She didn't complain, not even near the end of her life. She never asked for anything for herself and always had a good attitude. She was generous with her family. She questioned things and was quick to learn computers and cameras.

Few people knew that Beatrice:

often drove a 80-passenger bus even into Vancouver on school outings. She drove these buses up to age 80.

Describe a perfect evening out for Beatrice:

Eating Chinese food with family or playing table games with family at home.

Beatrice was passionate about:

God, church, and family.

Which world event had the strongest impact on Beatrice:

World War II

What were the hardest things Beatrice ever had to do?

...lose her dad at age 30.

...be the only girl in a family of boys.

...live in the country without a car.

...live on a farm.

...deal with the death of her son, Mel.

...Learn to be independent after losing her husband, Wallie.

Beatrice always wanted to:

...get more education.

...travel much more.

...learn to swim.

...be with family.

...see grand kids more.

...learn more about computers.

...go camping with family more.

Beatrice would have been most likely to be devoted to what noble cause:

She would have loved involvement with SAGE in her older years. She would have loved mission trips, especially Maranatha. She donated her personal funds to so many charities, and sent a small donation in every donation envelope she received. She was very interested in Student Missionaries through Walla Walla University.

Beatrice considered this to be a defining moment in life:

Her baptism at about age 18.

OFFICIAL PRINTED OBITUARY

Beatrice Lillian Hamilton was born on September 18, 1922 in Shellbrook, Saskatchewan and passed away July 10, 2018 in Abbotsford, BC. Beatrice is predeceased by her parents, Ethel and Neilson White; her husband, Wallace Hamilton; her son, Mel Hamilton; five brothers, (Bob White, Clarence White, Frank White, Harry White and Arnold White); five sister-in-laws, (Jennie White, Helen White, Edythe White, Lenna White, and Mildred White). Surviving are daughter, Nancy Jeanne (Don) Vories, of Walla Walla, Washington; son, Alan (Maricel) Hamilton of Langley, BC; 4 grandchildren; Mindi (Lance) Irvine; Monte Vories; Everett Hamilton; Stephanie Hamilton; four great grandchildren; Luke, Drew, Alex and Kasi Irvine; brothers, Bill White of Sydney, BC; Dr. Wilson (Romana) White of Abbotsford, BC, sister-in-law, Ruby White of Sumas, Washington and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Celebration of her life was on on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 4:00 pm at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1921 Griffiths Road, Abbotsford, BC. A light meal followed the service. A memorial fund is established at Walla Walla University. www.wallawalla.edu/smd (Choose Missions and Ministries then write in “Hamilton Memorial.) A receipt will be mailed to you.

* * * * * * * * * *

Beatrice Lillian Hamilton was born on September 18, 1922 in Shellbrook, Saskatchewan and passed away July 10, 2018 in Abbotsford, BC. Beatrice is predeceased by her parents, Ethel and Neilson White; her husband, Wallace Hamilton; her son, Mel Hamilton; five brothers, (Bob White, Clarence White, Frank White, Harry White and Arnold White); five sister-in-laws, (Jenny White, Helen White, Edythe White, Lenna White, and Mildred White). Surviving are daughter, Jeanne (Don) Vories, of Walla Walla, Washington; son, Alan (Maricel) Hamilton of Langley, BC; 4 grandchildren; Mindi (Lance) Irvine; Monte Vories; Everett Hamilton; Stephanie Hamilton; four great grandchildren; Luke, Drew, Alex and Kasi Irvine; brothers, Bill White of Sydney, BC; Dr. Wilson (Romana) White of Abbotsford, BC, sister-in-law, Ruby White of Sumas, Washington and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Celebration of her life will be on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 4:00 pm at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1921 Griffiths Road, Abbotsford, BC. A light meal is planned following the service. A memorial fund is established at Walla Walla University. www.wallawalla.edu/smd (Choose Missions and Ministries then write in “Hamilton Memorial”).