Elizabeth Emma Spenst Brown

August 26, 1922 - October 26, 2015

Elizabeth Emma Spenst was born at home, near Waldheim, Saskatchewan, on August 26, 1922, to Elizabeth and Jacob Spenst. She grew up and attended school in Waldheim, and then attended normal school and received her Teacher Training Certificate in 1943. She taught elementary school children for 23 years in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and California.

Beth, as she was known, loved her students and kept in touch with many for years after teaching them. In fact, one kept in touch by mail and email, and came to see her in Kelowna just a few years ago.

She married Scott Brown on April 12, 1968, in Bellflower, California. They traveled together and enjoyed seeing the sights of Hawaii and Alaska, among other places. They were delighted to spend time with each other. Beth started to work in Scott's Schwinn Bicycle Shop business. And became her husband’s office secretary in the Brown’s Bicycle Store in Long Beach, California. After Scott’s death in 1977 she took over the management of the store and ran it until 1981.

In 1982 Beth (as she was affectionately known) moved to Kelowna, BC, where she bought a home between her two sisters in Kelowna, Katie Paul and Esther Wecker. She enjoyed being near family again, and her great nieces and nephews loved to go to Aunt Beth's and play with her cool toys or listen to her read stories to them.

Beth eventually sold her home and moved to a condo in Rutland. She loved her books, her videos and her knick-knacks of birds and butterflies.

After some years, she needed more help with activities of daily living, and moved to Tender Care Cottage Home. Recently, she moved to Cottonwoods Care Home, where she was loved and fussed over by the care attendants.

During her recent illness following her fall, many of the care workers spoke of how much they enjoyed Beth and chatting to her about her students and about her life.

Beth died at Cottonwoods Care Centre in Kelowna on October 26, 2015, two months after her 93rd birthday.

Beth is predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and Jacob Spenst, and her husband, Scott Brown. She was also predeceased by her brother Jake, and her sisters Ann and Katie and most recently, Esther.

She leaves to mourn her brother Arthur Spenst (Dorothy) and sister Marion (Galen Brown) and a host of nieces and nephews. These include Mike Garrett (Kathy), Patti Cotton (Ken), Alan Garrett (Brenda), Jeff Garrett, Del Spenst (Jenna), Donna Wells (Dan), Judy Foulston (Terry), Sandra Doucette (Chris), Glenda Quiring (Don), Jody Brown (Joy), Doug Brown (Marilyn), Darryl Brown, and Steve Brown (Carin), as well as great nieces and nephews.

Beth loved studying her Bible until her sight became dim, but her memory of the texts long memorized sustained her. When being visited by Pastor Tetz, even though in severe pain, she began to repeat Bible texts with him, including Psalm 23 and John 14:1-3. She chimed in with 'Amen' at the conclusion of his prayer, and was perfectly silent during the prayer. She passed to her rest, secure in her relationship with Jesus, and her loved ones are comforted by the promise of seeing her again in heaven.

A visitation for the comfort of family and friends will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 30, 2015 at Valleyview Funeral Home, 165 Valleyview Road, Kelowna, BC V1X 3M5. (250-765-3147).

A memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, October 31, 2015, at Orchard City Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1710 Garner Road, Kelowna, BC V1P 1E5. (250-765-6858).

Interment at a later date, with her late husband Scott, in California.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com