Kathleen Emily Beauchamp

Nov 15, 1937 – Jun 10, 2023

It is with a great sense of loss that the Beauchamp family announces the passing of our Mother, Kathleen Emily Beauchamp on June 10, 2023 surrounded by the love of her family.

Mom was born on November 15, 1937 on “The Farm” in Dapp, AB to Andrew and Dorothy Montgomery and was raised with her seven siblings.

Mom earned her Teaching Certificate from the University of Alberta and then taught elementary school in Dapp and Clyde, AB.

At a chicken dinner in Clyde, she met Armand Beauchamp and they were married on July 15, 1961.

Mom’s teaching career was put on hold as they raised 5 children while living in Westlock, AB and in 1964 they moved to Kamloops, BC, and added another 4 children to their family.

Mom was never happier than in the presence of her family, she was always up for participating in any endeavour with her kids or grandkids, even if it meant taking to the field when their slow pitch team the Killer B’s was short players; playing beer pong with her granddaughter’s friends at her birthday party or walking after midnight on a footpath through the woods to what they hoped was their hotel in Holland, with her daughter-in-law after seeing her son participate in the 100 mile walk. She was fearless, but never reckless. She was always open to learning new things, and she actively pursued activities that challenged her mind and body. She was kind and thoughtful in her dealings with friends, family and even strangers and always willing to lend a hand. She worked tirelessly to make gatherings special and fun and would often bring everything but the kitchen sink to family gatherings - no effort on her part was too great. After raising and orchestrating such a large family, it is no surprise that she was used to doing things and having things done her way and often to our chagrin, she was usually right. She was our family steering wheel: a teacher, a disciplinarian, a cheerleader, a coach, a sounding board. She never complained and always believed that others carried heavier loads. Mom always provided wise and thoughtful advice, and was always prepared to listen, encourage and support however needed. She loved learning about all her grandchildren, partners and friends, and always made a point to ask about each of them, remembering the details from past conversations. She was perfectly imperfect and we were so fortunate to call her our mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

She leaves to mourn her 9 children: Rick (Chris) of Coquitlam, Ian (Julianne) of Penticton, Dan (Laureen) of Calgary, Debbi, Len (Marcy), Laurie (Bob) all of Kamloops, Dale (Kim) of Victoria, Kelly (Lynda) of Vancouver and Jamie (Deena) of Coquitlam.

Her 19 grandchildren: Jill (Kris) Elliott of Squamish, Leah (Darryl) Jackson of Port Moody, Haley (Pete) McDougall of Vancouver, Michelle (Darren) Mayne of Fort Saskatchewan, Monique (Tiago) Monteiro and Luc (Aimee) Beauchamp all of Princeton, Jenelle (Calvin) Ottoson of Cochrane, Katee (Josh) Pearson of Calgary, Liane (Nick) Beauchamp of Kamloops, Rachel Beauchamp of Coquitlam, Devin (Chloe) Beauchamp, Chloe Beauchamp-Brisson of Victoria, Megan Monkman and Ryann Monkman both of Victoria, Brady (Ann) Beauchamp of Grand Prairie, Jenna (Michael) Beauchamp of Castlegar, Abby (Leanne) Beauchamp of Prince George, Evan Buday of Castlegar and Kelly (Shannon) Buday of North Bay, ON.

Her 14 great grandchildren: Liv, Beau, Grace, Cole, Dylan, Phoebe, Crosby, Marcelo, Tiago Jr, Anna, Quinn, Levi, Matthew and Skylar.

Also left to mourn her loss are her siblings: Joyce Shinkaruk and Shirley (Art) Henke of St Albert, AB, Phyllis Montgomery of Edmonton, AB and David (Denise) Montgomery of Parksville and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Armand Beauchamp and her parents: Andrew and Dorothy Montgomery of Dapp, AB. Her siblings: Virginia and Jack Montgomery of Dapp, AB, Joanna Goldnick of Westlock, AB.

Mom learnt and appreciated the strengths and values of being part of a community when she was raised in the farming community of Dapp/Westlock. Leaving their home, family and friends to move to a different province with her husband and growing family, was not an easy decision but Kathleen quickly established a new community for herself and her family in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. She and Dad were involved with the expansion of the OLPH elementary school, in which they enrolled their younger children. She was a long standing member of the Catholic Women’s League with 63 years of service and she made many long lasting friendships. She would pack up the younger kids and bring them to the church to play, while she polished the brass and cleaned the church with the other ladies.

Mom returned to teaching at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School once all her kids were in school themselves, teaching initially and then as vice-principal/teacher for a total of 14 years. After that, she took some computer courses and was very proud to work with the Kamloops Hospice Association in the office for approximately 7 years, and was there during their drive to establish The Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home in Kamloops. She then had the opportunity to work with the OLPH Parish as the Youth Religious Education Program Co-ordinator on a part time basis and also in the OLPH Church office. She particularly enjoyed getting to know the different Priests assigned to the Parish, and the new parishioners accessing either the church or the school, and of course maintaining contact with long standing parishioners. This ultimately became the job she officially retired from when she was 80 years old.

Mom’s commitment to community continued beyond her paid working life: with OLPH Parish, she continued volunteering as a Eucharistic Minister and Co-ordinator, Finance Assistant Counting Co-ordinator and volunteering with other parishioners for special church events. Mom had volunteered for a number of years with the North Shore Community Policing and she also volunteered for many of the major sporting events held here in Kamloops, as we are the Tournament Capital of Canada. She was also very active with her local strata, volunteering to lend a hand whenever and wherever needed. She considered the members of her strata friends not just neighbours. She served for more than 20 years on the Strata Council as treasurer and really valued her role in the community.

Mom always took her commitments very seriously, if she said she would take on a responsibility, she always followed through. Even if it was not convenient for her or if her position required her to be the bearer of an unpopular decision. She did so with grace and compassion and she upheld a high standard of confidentiality in her many roles.

Unfortunately, Mom got to know the RIH very well over the years. She had many visits to the ER, and was grateful for the care she received from the physicians and nurses there, as well as the RACE Clinic cardiologists and nurses who guided her while living with her heart condition. She always commented on how kind and good to her they were. She enjoyed interacting with the cleaners, the lab, and the activity team as well as other patients in her room, and would often share her dry sense of humour to gain a smile and brighten each's day.

The family would like to thank the staff of St Paul’s Hospital, and 5 South at RIH for their compassionate care during the last couple months as they supported not only her, but the large family at her bedside. Last but not least, Dr. Kraig Montalbetti for his exemplary care over the years, always taking time to listen and identify her priorities and care.

Prayers will be recited on Friday, June 23 at 7:00 pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 635 Tranquille Road. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am on Saturday, June 24 at the church with Father Peter Hoan Nguyen.

Reception will follow in the Parish Centre. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.

Saturday Mass will be webcast from 11:30 AM , you can view the ceremony live or on replay at https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/75771.