Beulah Victoria McCormick

Beulah will be lovingly remembered by her children: Marion King: Jo-Lynn Jocelyn (Michael); Kenny (Lynn) McCormick: Todd (Diane), Trevor, Jolene (Jason) Corriveau, Mitchell (Leanne), Kyle (Whitney); Gwen Head (Jack Hochbaum): Kevin (Leanne) and Travis (Marina); Ted McCormick; Joan Dutton: Shawn (Terry), Amanda (Doug) Risling, Megan (Andy) Kostiuk, Mackenzie Dutton (Jameson Hawk), Elden; Rick McCormick (Donna); Neil McCormick (Joyce): Neil Jr. (Cory), Candice, Brendan, and Jake; 30 great-grandchildren; sisters: Vivian (Lawrence) Willick, Amy (Walter) Schenk, Eleanor King; brother Grant (Francis) King; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Ted; parents Oscar and Ida King; grandsons Danny and Glenn; siblings Alvin, Ferdinand, Conwell, Richard, Miriam, and Leonard; son in law Elden Dutton; and her in-laws Selma and Archie McCormick.

The Funeral Service was held on Friday, December 20, 2013 from the Chapel of Sallows and McDonald - Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home with Reverend Keith Klippenstein officiating. Amanda Risling gave the eulogy. Music ministry was provided by Jonah and Karla Sawatzky, singing "Amazing Grace", "The Old Rugged Cross", and "In The Arms Of An Angel". "Walk Of Life" by Dire Straits played as the family processed in at the start of the service and "Turkey In The Straw" played during the picture tribute. Pallbearers were: Kevin Head, Travis Head, Shawn Dutton, Elden Dutton, Trevor McCormick, Mitchell McCormick, Kyle McCormick, and Jake McCormick. Beulah is resting forever beside her husband Ted in grave 30-D-6 at the City of North Battleford Cemetery. The family have requested that memorial donations be made to the Saskatoon Convalescent Home Foundation, 101-31st Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7L 0P6.

Eulogy by Amanda Risling

Hello, as most of you know I’m Amanda…one very lucky girl who had the pleasure of growing up as one of Beulah’s grandchildren. Our family shared some of their fondest memories with me and I’ve tried to capture in words the essence of my beautiful grandma so those of you who didn’t know her well can understand what a gift she was to her family.

When I first began writing, I wanted to stick to Beulah as a mom and then go into Beulah as a grandma but what I quickly realized is that the two couldn’t be separated. She shared much of the same love, talents and memories with us grandkids as she did as a mom. So here it goes.

Grandma was born January 21, 1922 on a farm near Mildred to her parents Oscar and Ida King . She would have been 92 this January. She was the oldest child of 11. She met and married Ted McCormick and together they raised 7 children. Grandma had 19 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.

I think uncle Ted summed it up best when he told me… this is what I want you to say, “Ted’s mom was one hell of a good mom.” My mom often referred to grandma as her greatest champion and I know her siblings all felt the same way.

I’m told grandma was a great mom to have growing up if you were sick. She would cater to your every need, marching back and forth up the stairs with drinks and food until you were healthy again. I think that’s why us grandkids loved to go there when we were sick, Or as Travis pointed out when we had a case of “School is boringitis” Grandma looked after us the best that’s for sure.

Auntie Gwen pointed out what a generous mom she was. If she only had $50 and you needed it, she would gladly hand it over to her kids. When there was nothing to give, she even managed to figure things out. Aunty Marion remembers one year when they didn’t have enough money for a Christmas tree. Grandma was so upset, but then her and aunty set to work on turning a cardboard box into a fireplace. They decorated it with lights and it was much more special than any tree could have been.

As a mom, she could stick to her guns. Us grandkids didn’t get to experience much of that side of her. Maybe this is why this story I’m about to share is my favourite. I just can’t picture my grandma doing it. Anyway, the story goes like this. Uncle Neil had a favourite shirt. And like many boys I’m sure after wearing it day in and day out it had become more of a rag (well in grandma’s opinion anyway) But Uncle wouldn’t let her throw it out…so one day she had finally had it. He ran out the back and she chased him down, wrestled him to the ground and ripped the shirt right off his back! There were tears, and eventually she made it right by buying him a new shirt.

Many people pointed out grandma’s inability to stay mad. I remember her and grandpa would bicker back and forth (and anyone who was around them can remember the hollers that came from those two when you put them in a room together, but more than the fighting I remember the laughter sometimes during or immediately after the arguments. Grandma would get in a huff and seconds later be chuckling. She just couldn’t stay angry at anyone. Which I think probably kept her sane.

Grandma was a talented seamstress! Many members of our family commented on clothes she had made them! Jo-Lynn’s fondest memory is a jacket grandma made for her cabbage patch doll to match a jean jacket of hers. This isn’t surprising considering Grandma was all about fashion. Grandma’s younger sisters remember she knew how to dress to the nines! She took pride in what she wore. Recently Drew painted Grandma's nails, she was so happy wanting to look her best even when she wasn’t feeling it. AND today, she would be so proud of the new outfit mom and Uncle Rick bought for her. It was something she had asked for for Christmas…a blue dress. Megan did her hair up for the last time and she looks beautiful.

Grandma could knit too! I remember She often gave us grandkids a knitting tutorial when we leaned over with curiousity to see what she was up to! Even the boys were taught how to work those crocheting needles. (or whatever they’re called…sadly I never inherited that talent from grandma.)

Grandma’s baking triggered memories for all of us! Mom remembers buns, donuts, everyone’s favorite gingerbread and THE BEST BREAD PUDDING EVER. Hands down for me is Grandma's banana bread and banana cream pie. Megan loved her pancakes for lunch. Kevin spent many days after school at Grandma's and after asking how his day was, Grandma would bring out the bread and sprinkle it with butter and sugar! Uncle Ken's kids all remember coming to visit and the infamous Fig Newtons she would set out for company when she didn’t have her own baking ready. She always made sure that her company had food to eat. Often times, Grandma would share stories about her past during visits with family. Some stories being told many times over…now as an adult I know it’s because they were special to her and she wanted to share some of who she was with us.

Grandma didn’t always take to advice kindly. We all remember giving her our words of wisdom about what was right for her and or her health and hearing the words “OH, YOU DON’T KNOW” which was usually followed with a grin. Travis didn’t get a grin however, after he offered her advice on how to cook. Some things are sacred I guess lol.

Grandma had a silly side to her. Trevor remembers sitting in a vehicle with Grandma and she was twiddling her thumbs as she often did and then looked over at him stuck her tongue out and went back to twiddling. Megan summed it up best by saying, “Grandma had a way of making people laugh whether she meant to or not!”

Grandma had a competitive spirit! She loved watching game shows! Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right was always on at grandma’s and everyone enjoyed watching it along with her. She loved games whether it was cards, dice, bingo or scratch n’ win tickets. Uncle Rick and Neil loved to go the casino with Grandma and all take turns spinning on one machine – except that they never could spin fast enough for grandma’s liking. She was always telling them – well hurry up!

When we were sitting around talking I said it was always amazing to me how grandma would win at cards…it was like she was a witch or something. She was lucky – or as auntie Lynn quickly pointed out you could also call it cheating! The cheating accusations came up over and over again with anyone who played and lost against her. So Grandma, I’m just letting you know I think you were just lucky, you just have a family of sore losers!! I was at Shoppers yesterday and glimpsed down at the lottery tickets thinking how sad it was that I wouldn’t be giving Grandma her usual $20 Stocking Stuffer Tickets!

We are saying good-bye today to a lady who loved unconditionally, had little expectations of anyone and most importantly taught her kids and grandkids the value of FAMILY. Since Grandpa died, Grandma has mourned his loss and today we will find comfort knowing that they are together again. (probably fighting already) My sisters would often call Grandma a princess, for the last 6 years she lived with Uncle Rick and Uncle Neil who cared for her and treated her like a princess and now today the princess has become an angel to all of us. We all love you and will miss you soo much Grandma.

My First Christmas In Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees

around the world below

With tiny lights, like heavens star,

reflecting on the snow

The sight is spectacular, please wipe away the tears,

For I am spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs

that people hold so dear

But the sound of music can’t compare

with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you, the joy the voices bring,

For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me –

I see the pain inside your heart

But I am not far away, we really are not apart.

…..So be happy for me, you know I hold you dear

and be glad I’m spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift

from my heavenly home above

I send each a memory of my undying love

After all love is a gift more precious than gold

It was always most important

in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other,

as my Father said to do

For I can’t count the blessings

and love He has for you

So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away the tears

For I am spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year….