Beverley Bev May Keohane Fortune

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden, but peaceful passing of our loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

Bev was born in Winnipeg on June 2, 1951, growing up in Winnipeg’s West End and graduating from Gordon Bell High School. She went on to obtain her LPN license in 1971 and a brief nursing career in geriatrics. She maintained a genuine affection and compassion for older adults throughout her life, devotionally caring for both her mother and father during the end stages of their lives.

In 1947, Bev married Brian Fortune, with whom she lovingly shared her life with for 37 years. A year later they welcomed their first daughter, Tanya, into the world. This joy recurred five years later with the addition of their second daughter, Kathleen. Bev devoted her life raising her daughters to be strong and successful women. Bev’s granddaughter, Alyssa, was a source of great pride and she enjoyed spending time with her.

Bev both cherished and found meaning in the small things in life. Particularly gratifying to her were baking delicious treats for family during special occasions, sharing her dynamic and lively sense of humour with others, and lavishing the family dog (Bailey) with love. Despite her poor health, she always made the time to be there for Kathleen and Tanya, regardless of the physical distance between them. As a mother, you could always count on her to listen and to make you feel better. Life without those daily phone calls of support will leave a huge gap in their lives. She was authentic, kind and never ended a conversation without an “I Love You.”

To Those I Love

If I should ever leave you,

Whom I love

To go along the silent way…

Grieve not.

Nor speak of me with tears.

But laugh and talk of me

As if I were beside you there.

And when you hear a song

Or see a bird I loved,

Please do not let the thought of me

Be sad…For I am loving you

Just as I always have…

You were so good to me!

There are so many things

I wanted still to do…

So many things I wanted to say

To you…Remember that

I did not fear…It was

Just leaving you

That was so hard to face.

We cannot see beyond…

But this I know:

I loved you so…

‘twas heaven here with you

-Isla Paschal Richardson

In honour of Bev’s wishes, the family invites you to a small informal gathering between 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, January 21 at 71 Valence Avenue (the home of Tanya, Glenn and Alyssa).

In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society.