Roy Beatrice Elizabeth Duncan (nee Bell)

Beatrice Elizabeth Roy Duncan was born 14 June 1932 to John and Margaret Bell in London England. As an only child Roy, as she was known to her friends, grew up in the English boarding school system where she was known by her schoolmates as Bea. Roy would spend many school holidays visiting cousins farms instead of going home as it was far safer than venturing into war torn London. During these times on the farms she spent her days with the horses, cows, sheep and chickens and went on to share her farm stories with own her children as they grew up. Once she finished school Roy went on to train as a physiotherapist. Travel beckoned to Roy shortly after completing her training and she eventually landed in Montreal. Montreal was home for a short time before Roy travelled cross country to Vancouver where she met Peter Duncan in 1957 who soon became her husband. Peter and Roy married May 30, 1958 and soon started a family. Rhona Margaret was born December 1959 followed in March 1961 by Moira Katherine and soon Heather Maureen and Ann Elizabeth made their appearances in May 1962 and June 1963 respectively. Peter and Roy had their work cut out for them with 4 little girls running around. Once her girls were in school Roy went back to work with CARS (Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society) part-time. Working part-time and volunteering at the girls’ school and numerous activities kept Roy busy. Eventually Roy was back to work full-time as a physiotherapist with a private physio clinic and eventually with Home Care on the North Shore and Burnaby. Roy spent many years at Home Care where she made numerous lifelong friends.

Roy was a professional at work but at home anytime her girls would complain of an injury whether real or imagined the stock answer from mum would be “put ice on it”. Invariably that would cure anything that ailed you.

Most summers for Roy were spent camping around the province with a truck and camper with Peter and her in the cab and four little faces in the overhead window. Many miles on paved and gravel roads took Roy and her family all over B.C. Once the girls had grown up and were no longer interested in camping with their parents Peter and Roy set their sights farther afield. St. Kitts was a favorite sunny destination in the winter shared with sojourns to Europe, the Far East, the Mid East, Africa and anywhere and everywhere around the globe. Roy thoroughly enjoyed her trips to Nepal where she would trek to the Everest base camp.

Roy retired from work with Home Care in the early 1990’s and she and Peter would continue to travel together until Peter died in 1997. Roy would continue to travel often with her good friend Masumi. Over the years, Roy was proud to say she had travelled and explored every continent. In her retirement she also spent time volunteering with the North Shore Seniors Hub, playing bridge and getting together with her “Amazing Greys” friends from work.

In 1999 Roy would buy a cabin at Sheridan Lake where she would enjoy most of the summer for the next 15 years with visits from her daughters, grandchildren and many friends. She also spent a lot of time reconnecting and visiting with long-time friends Elizabeth and Hamish Chrystal who lived nearby.

Roy had recently moved into Cedarview Lodge where she died peacefully on January 12, 2021.

Roy is predeceased by her husband Peter, and her daughter Rhona. Roy is survived by her three daughters Moira(Lance)Boomgaarden, Heather, Ann(Doug Conquergood), her grandchildren Duncan (Alicia) Boomgaarden, Katie(Gilles) Boomgaarden and Nicole (Vlad)Conquergood and great grandson Kaleb.

The family would like to thank the staff at Cedarview Lodge for the wonderful care and attention during Mum’s short time there. A special thank you goes out to all of her friends for keeping in contact with Mum while she was at Cedarview and especially to Masumi Okihiro for her friendship over the years and all of her support and visits she had with Mum.

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