Beatrice Mary Acken

She often said she was born into adversity. The year of her birth faced the aftermath of the 1918 flu and WWI. Her father, Job Watts, passed in 1921. Bea along with her mother, Beatrice Mary Capp, and five of her brothers emigrated to the U.S. in 1922. Bea was 3 years old. By age 9, she and her sister, Phyllis born in Ohio, were orphaned. Bea first joined the workforce at age 14. Then met her husband Robert M. Acken on a blind date. They were married in 1940. During WWII, Bea became a Rosie the Riveter while Bob joined the Navy and was later paralyzed. The wheelchair made Ohio winters more than difficult, so Bea and Bob moved to California where they adopted two children in the early 50s.

Bea leaves many loved ones behind. She befriended nearly everyone she met. Her name, Beatrice means both “she who blesses” and “a voyager through life.” Many felt blessed by her sense of humor, willingness to listen, and letting many of her troubles float away like “water over the dam.” She was resilient and took her brother Stanley seriously when he quoted, “it’s a great life if you don’t weaken.”

And, she didn’t weaken. Despite many adversities Bea remained inspiring to the end. She walked five miles a day six days a week, for thirty years and continued walking until she was in her 90s. She lived alone in her own home until she celebrated her 100th birthday. She went to the gym until she was 102. In fact, she was honored with a free membership, because the gym owner said she was inspiring to the younger folks in their 70s and 80s. She remained sharp as a tack, firing off texts with emojis, selfies, and laugh out loud jokes until her dying days. She was always impeccably dressed with perfect hair and manicured nails. May we all be so lucky to go out with such style and dignity.

She leaves behind a daughter Sandy Delores, granddaughters Hannah Leah, Charlie-Anne, Liza, and Chloe, and grandsons Nathan and Emerson.

Bea will be joining her husband, Robert M. Acken, brothers Job III, Ernest, Willis, Stanley, Clarence, Lewis, Richard, Job IV, Douglas, sisters, Wilda and Phyllis, and son Gary.

A celebration of life will be held December 10, 2022, from 10 AM-11 AM at Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary, 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in honor of Bea Acken to Paralyzed Veterans of America at pva.org or mail to 801 Eighteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20006-3517.

To attend the service online, click on the link under Services to "Join Livestream".

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