Beatrice Minachi Cheentambee

May 25, 1917 – April 10, 2012

After a brief illness Beatrice Minachi Cheentambee died peacefully at the Health Sciences Centre, in Winnipeg, MB at the age of 94. She was born in Guyana, South America and immigrated to Winnipeg in 1984. She is survived by her nieces Grace, Virginia, Patricia (Saheed) and Beatrice. Nephews Edward, Frederick, Ricardo (Dularie), Franklin (Seelatchnie), Ronald (Sahoudri) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Beatrice was predeceased by her parents Sophia and Tyman Cheentambee as well as five brothers and two sisters.

Aunty Betty as she was known by her loved ones will be greatly missed by family and friends. The last nine years of her life was spent at Calvary Place Nursing Home. The family would like to thank everyone who assisted in caring for my aunt during her stay there.

Viewing will be held on Monday April 16, 2012 at 12:30 pm at St. John's Presbyterian Church, 251 Bannerman, followed by Funeral Services at 1:00 pm with reception and interment at Kildonan Cemetery (off Main Street) to follow.

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Hello everyone, my name is Ronald Raghoo and I’ll be reading this Euology on behalf of my mother Virginia Raghoo

Loosing someone you love can be one of the most difficult things that a person can go through. Words cannot properly express the sorrow and sadness that I am going through right now.

But let’s not grieve for my aunt, as she lived a long and prosperous life full of love and laughter. As we talk today and remember by Aunt Beatrice, let’s celebrate all the good times and cherish those precious memories as her spirit will continue to live within us.

Beatrice Minachi Cheentambee was born on the May 25th, 1917 in Guyana, South America. She was predeceased by her 5 brothers and two sisters.

Growing up in Guyana she was a member of the Canadian Presbyterian Church where she devoted most of her Sundays going to church and teaching Sunday school. This is where she enjoyed singing and reading from the Bible.

She attended the Carnegie School of home Economics in Guyana where she learned to cook, sew and design her own clothing. It was always her dream to become a teacher.... soon after she was able to achieve that dream by opening up her own Sewing School in which she named it “The Domestic Science School”.

She taught students including me to crochet, knit, embroider and design our own clothes.

She later immigrated to Winnipeg in the mid 80’s and lived with my family for a period of time.

My children loved her very much and will always have pleasant memories of her as they enjoyed being in her company. Beatrice was a very kind hearted person and was always willing to lend a helping hand to others in need. It was always a pleasure for her to attend Church Services here at St. John's.

What I remember most about my aunt is how loving and kind she was towards everyone especially her family.

She loved to Sew and make clothes....she would make me the most beautiful clothes to wear back in Guyana.

The style that I would wear was always different from what she would make for others in the neighbourhood.

She also had a lot of funny stories to tell about her childhood and was very happy being in the company of her students. It was aways a pleasure to visit her, we would talk about life back in Guyana, and the many fruit trees she once had.... She would remember how warm it is in Guyana and because of the climate she was able to grow a vegetable garden in her backyard.

While she was living at Calvary place I would visit her often and bring her some of her favorite food and any items she needed. There was one time she asked me to bring something but I forgot...and ever since then she would always call and remind me....

I was very close to my aunt as she raised me as her own daughter, and whenever I had a problem, I was able to go to her for advice.

I know we are all grieving today for we have lost a wonderful Aunt, and a dear friend. She is now in heaven and very happy and content with the wonderful memories she has left us. She will always be remembered by all of us. Let’s just be thankful that we knew a special person like Beatrice.

My dear aunt we will miss you very much and will always love you and cherish the good times we shared.

I would like to share this poem with everyone :

I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free

I’m following the path God has laid you see.

I took His hand when I heard him call

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day

To laugh, to love, to work, to play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way

I found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss

Oh yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much

Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and peace to thee

God wanted me now; He set me free.

Thank-you!