Beverley Jeanette Wood

To Beverley Jeanette Wood, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, she was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Bev, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. She really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Beverley was born on May 10, 1937 in Riverside Ontario. Her parents were Reginald and Irene McFadden. She was raised on Prado Place in Riverside with her four brothers, Fred, Richard, Kenny, Abbey and one sister, Eileen. Even as a child, Bev had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was the youngest of the family and her father often referred to her as "the dear wee pet". She was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. She couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention.

Always a good playmate, Beverley was easy going and fun loving. She managed to lighten the mood wherever she was. She seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Beverley managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems.

All of Beverley's playful good humor carried over into her childhood. She was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed her to be constantly on the go. As a result, Beverley experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited her very well. She took part in Brownies as a child and always loved to help others.

Ask anyone who knew her from school and they would tell you that Bev was always friendly and helpful. She simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of her friends and acquaintances and having a good time. It could be said that for Beverley, grades may not have been the most important thing to her, but she really did enjoy her school experience. She enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Beverley attended Riverside Secondary and W. D. Lowe as a teen. Bev was a very determined person and she went back to Riverside High School as an adult to complete her high school diploma and then continued on with management studies at both the University of Windsor and St. Clair College. She excelled in English, her penmanship was beautiful and she was a very creative writer.

Bev never actually encountered a stranger in her dealings with people. She was drawn to individuals and crowds, using her gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate her audience. This quality allowed her to continually develop new relationships, ever widening her circle of friends. She delighted in her role among all her acquaintances, because she viewed them all as special, always taking the time to really get to know and understand their personalities and life experiences, and always asking “how can I help you". Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, she was always right at home helping and caring for her friends. Beverley utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of her best friends were Shirley Reybroek, Linda Brush and Bobbie Spicer, she continued her friendship with these women her entire life. During her life, she also became friends with Dave Cooke, Bob and Cathy George, Wilf and Rose Renaud, Larry and Fran Glendenning, and John and Maura Hudson, from "across the pond". She loved sharing life and having her home filled with people she knew. Her door was always open and she treated anyone who entered with kindness, compassion and respect.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Beverley very easy to approach. On November 5, 1955 Beverley exchanged wedding vows with William Earnest Wood at Our lady of Guadalupe Church in Windsor, Ontario. She was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in her marriage.

Beverley and Bill were blessed with 3 children, Eileen Mary, Patricia Ann and William Carl. They were also blessed with 4 Grandchildren, Jennifer, Ryan, Brandon and Katie, 6 Great Grandchildren, Devonte, Elizabeth, Ethan, Emily, Blake and Tyler and 1 Great Great Grandchild. Beverley had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of her attention was directed. Beverley's compassionate side prevented her from being a strict disciplinarian, she was a wonderful, caring mother who was always there for her children, to lend a hand, to listen or give advice in her kind and gentle manner.

At work, as in life, Beverley was a real “people person.” She had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and her enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Beverley liked to see herself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Beverley was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Bev's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around her to see her as an excellent problem solver. Bev's primary occupation was Assistant Manager at Cashway Building Centre and Constituency Assistant for local NDP MPP Dave Cooke and Wayne Lessard and NDP MP Joe Comartin. Beverley always kept herself busy.

A generous person who often wore her heart on her sleeve, Beverley often found herself involved in activities she deemed important. She was charitable, kind and giving, qualities that made her a natural volunteer. Outspoken in her beliefs, yet tactful in her dealings with others, Beverley was a member of

several community groups, serving on committees including the Planning Committee for the City of Windsor, she was an elected Utilities Commissioner, and an executive member Royal Canadian Legion BR 255 and BR 143. Politically, Beverley was life long active member in the Windsor Riverside NDP and, held several executive positions over the years including president, secretary and treasurer, and during her retirement years, she would always host a mini poll in her home on election day to update and feed the workers in field.

Beverley felt excited and challenged by people. She relished the opportunities where she could make an impact, and she would often push herself to go above and beyond. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Beverley never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. She had an endless appetite for new and different activities. She was always ready to join in the fun and add her flair and energy to an organization. Because of her personality, her humor, and her ability to get along with everyone, Beverley's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which she belonged.

She was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were watching hockey with her husband Bill.

Naturally outgoing and generous, Beverley was regularly doing things for others. For her, the gift of giving to others was second nature. Bev cared for her Aunt (Elizabeth) and two cousins (Betty and Tommy) for many years after the death of her Uncle. Though she never set out to gain individual recognition, Bev was given accolades for her many and varied accomplishments throughout her life. Some of her most prestigious awards included Clarence Williams Award ( Political) and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012 for outstanding service in her community.

Living life in the fast lane suited Beverley just fine. It is no surprise that she loved to travel and to visit new and different places. She was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. She was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Some of her favorite vacations included Florida, England and France.

Bev believed that you had to experience life, and her life in retirement was no different. When she did finally retired in 2002, she took it in stride as one more way to have fun. With Bill by her side and her boundless energy and the desire to get the most out of life, Beverley remained busy with people and projects. She found continued pleasure in the Royal Canadian Legion BR 255, and the NDP. Each year Bev would organize an Annual Canada Day Party at BR 255 of the Royal Canadian Legion. She would work several months of the year, collecting door prizes, selling raffle tickets, having people, organizations, musicians and even the Provincial Government to donate their time, money and talent in order to make each event special. She would raise several thousands of dollars over the years, which was all donated to the branch. Bev and Bill also hosted a children's Christmas party each December for her grandchildren and her friends and neighbor’s children and grandchildren she would have Santa and Mrs. Clause arrive, each child would receive a small gift and of course no one left hungry.

Bev always continued to stay in touch with her special childhood friends, even organizing a block party reunion for all the neighbors and friends that grew up together on Prado place. With her outgoing personality and friendly demeanor, Bev never met a stranger; she kept in touch with the old friends and made plenty new friends and acquaintances along the way.

Beverley passed away on October 21, 2015 at home. Dementia, Lung Cancer and Pneumonia. She is survived by her 3 children; Eileen, Patricia and Bill as well as 4 Grandchildren; Jennifer, Ryan, Brandon and Katie. as well as 6 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Great Grandchild. Services were held at Walter D Kelly Funeral Home. Beverley was laid to rest with her husband Bill in Victoria Memorial Cemetery.

Beverley brought joy to all of those around her. She was always so kind and compassionate, loving and giving. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for life with her friends and family. Beverley Jeanette Wood lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with a smile by all those whose life she touched.

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Passed away peacefully at home at 78 years of age on Wednesday, October 21, 2015. Predeceased by her loving husband William (September, 2014). Dear and loving Mother of Eileen Wood, Patricia Tootill (Dave) and Bill Wood. Loving Grandmother to Jennifer, Ryan (Michelle), Brandon (Stephanie) and Katie (Jordan). Survived as well by 6 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Great Grandchild. Predeceased by her siblings; Fredrick (Shirley), Richard, Kenneth (Barbara), Eileen (Earl) and Alvin (Glenna). Much loved Aunt of Sharleen Fry and Sister-in-law, Joyce Jodway. The family would like to thank both Sharleen and Joyce for making it possible for Beverley to remain in the comfort of her home for the last year of her life. Beverley was a very loving, compassionate and selfless woman who thrived on helping others. She loved politics, dancing and spending time with her family. She will be missed by many and remembered by all who's lives she touched. She really made a difference. A special thank you to all the PSW 's who have helped this past year, especially Lynne, Lee-Anne and Rachel and also Hospice, Dr Gall, Sherry, and Melissa for their wonderful care, and compassion. It was greatly appreciated. Visiting will take place at the Walter D. Kelly Life Celebration Center on Monday, October 26, 2015 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A service of remembrance will be held the following day on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Reverend Murray Steacy officiating. If desired, donations to Hospice would be greatly appreciated.