Mary Ellen Beavers

In loving memory of Mary Ellen (Duncan) Beavers

I want to tell you about my wonderful mother who left this earthly home on January 31, 2021. Her life is one that should be celebrated and remembered as one filled with compassion and love.

She was born July 28th, 1931 in a small town in Texas, one of 6 girls. She is survived by her youngest sister who currently resides in Cashion Arizona. She had only one biological son, but when her sister tragically died in childbirth, she became the mother of myself and my twin brother. She was “mother” to many over the years though and particularly thought of her daughter-in-law Shirley as one of her own. She had a fierce love for her family and her walls were plastered with family photos; children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Mom was a natural caregiver. As a young girl she dreamed of being a Doctor and worked as a doctor’s assistant. The doctor she worked with offered to help her get an education, but unfortunately her parents were ill at the time and the family needed her income to survive. So, she put her dreams aside to take care of her family. Later in life she was able to get training as a Nurse’s Aide and worked in the extended care unit at the Kelowna hospital where she was loved by her patients and supervisors alike.

She loved dancing and participated in ball room dancing events including the year she took part in the Kelowna Regatta Parade. She danced the full length of the parade with her instructor to promote the dance school. She also had the opportunity to dance at the Grand Ball in the Crystal Ball Room of the renowned Empress Hotel in Victoria, B.C. An experience she cherished.

She told me that once as a young girl, she had been scouted by a Hollywood producer that wanted her to go to Hollywood and become a movie star. She told me she thought she could have become a star. As well as loving to dance she had a beautiful singing voice. She was prepared to go, but her parents put a stop to it. It amused me when she would tell me this story because I’m pretty sure if it had been totally up to her, she would have gone. My mom had little fear. Who knows she might have been a star!

In 1969 during the Vietnam controversy, she and my dad moved the family from the farm in Oklahoma to a new home in Canada. A choice not entirely supported by the entire family, but one that my mom felt strongly about and pushed for. It turned out to be an amazing blessing for our family, giving us experiences and opportunities we never would have had otherwise. Thank you, Mom.

Mom was an amazing cook. I don’t recall ever having seen her use a recipe. And her deserts are still talked about today. I once ask her how to make something and she said, “Oh about this much of this and so much of that. You know till it looks right”. I never did know when it looked right! Haha

She was a talented seamstress and sewed like she cooked. No recipe “so to speak”. She just looked at you and then at the fabric and started cutting. The end result was always spectacular. I had many beautiful clothes made by my mom and the boys had shirts made to rival any tailor. She also designed beautiful gowns for her ballroom dancing. However, she once told me she hated to sew. Lol

Mom was an avid reader and loved to write. She studied writing with the Palmer Writing Academy where her teacher was none other than Charles Schulz who wrote the peanuts comic strip. I wonder if the edits he marked on her writing assignments are worth anything? lol. She once wrote a mystery novel that unfortunately was never published, but those of us that read it quite enjoyed it.

According to my grandmother she was a very strong-minded child and I can attest to her indomitable spirit. When Mom became ill due to severe latex allergies and had to leave her work, she dedicated her time to researching and supporting others with her condition. She launched a battle with workers compensation to make changes to the hospital protocol on the use of latex products. It took her seven years to prove that the workplace circumstances triggered her illness and win her settlement with the Workers Compensation Board of Canada. A battle won that not only provided her compensatory value but benefited many more after her. A point that was very important to her. Her research became the material still used by the Board to regulate hospital protocol. I believe she would say this was her most important work and consider it her legacy.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com for the Beavers family.