1925 - 2015
Bea passed away peacefully on March 15th in Trail Hospital surrounded with love after a brief illness at the age of 90.
Bea was born February 11, 1925, in Nelson to William and Grace Oliver.
Bea grew up on the farm at Shoreacres with her younger brother, Robert
(Bob), a time she remembered very fondly. After graduating from high school, she worked at Palm Dairy in Nelson and married Roy Mills June 8, 1944. They moved to Swift Current where Alan was born. Bea loved the mountains in BC but the flat prairie provinces with their beautiful sunrises and sunsets were her favorite. They moved back to Nelson, and later Slocan where Michael and Carol joined the family. While in Slocan, Bea worked for the Selkirk Health Unit. In 1970 Bea and Roy separated and Bea moved to South Slocan and worked at Kootenay Forest Products in Nelson.
On July 31, 1972 Bea and John Blaney became a couple. From that day on they were always together and most often holding hands. Four years later Mom and John both retired to enjoy the rest of their lives together.
Bea, also known as Beatty, Mom, Babe and Grandma, had a huge love for her family and would do anything for them. John often referred to it as ‘fluffing pillows’. Grandma cherished her six grandsons and they all loved to be at her home. Bea spent many hours on the golf course and loved bowling, watching sports on TV (especially tennis), gardening, canning and baking. No one could make baking powder biscuits like Bea could! Many days Grandma and Grandpa would deliver hot biscuits to their grandsons and their friends after school. Timing was everything!
Bea loved to play cards and Scrabble at which she excelled. Always one to read, and read, her vocabulary was extensive which made her a formidable opponent. Her sister in law, Helena was in her league and they would often play into the night. Bea could hardly part with any book or magazine, “Just cannot throw out the written word”, she would often say. Bea was quite a night owl and would read and do housework in the night.
When she and John started buying and selling collectables and antiques, she would often be up most of the night preparing her treasures for a sale the next day. Mom and John met many wonderful people through their garage sale years. Mom was also a long time member of the Hospital Auxiliary in which she helped raise money and made many wonderful friends and memories.
Bea had a wonderful way of making everyone feel good around her. Always a kind word and a way that made you feel special when in her company. People were drawn to her ready wit and sense of humour.
Bea was predeceased by her parents, Roy, and their daughter Judith at birth.
She is survived by longtime partner of almost 43 years, John Blaney, sons Alan, Michael (Glenda), daughter Carol (Dave), Grandsons Jon Muller (Courtney), Jared Muller (Lynette), Chad Muller, Kirk Muller (Katie), Matthew Mills (Madison), and Mark Mills. Bea’s first great-grandson Roland was born on February 22 to Jon and Courtney. Bea’s second great-grandchild will be born this summer to Jared and Lynette on her beloved prairies. Bea is also survived by her brother Robert Oliver (Marilyn), sister in law Helena Mills, and many nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Mom’s very dear friend Lorraine Bianchi.
“Well you only need the light when it’s burning low.
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow.
Only know you love her when you let her go.
And you let her go.”
We all miss ‘Grandma’ very much. There will be no service by her request.
The family would be pleased if donations were made in her memory to the Hospice room at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail, BC V1R 4M1.