Beverley Anne Demmans

It is with profound sadness that we announce that Bev Demmans, Bev known as Mum, Grandma (Bamma), Aunty, and a dear friend to many, passed away in her sleep on November 4th, 2024, at Marjorie Willoughby Hospice House. While at Marjorie Willoughby, Bev received excellent care and was made to be comfortable.

Bev was born to Winnie and Mervin Boldrick on June 9th, 1945. She is survived by daughter, Christine (Mick), granddaughters, Hailey Baker (Trent) and Brittany Alexander, grandson, Shae Baker (Kailey), and of course her grand puppy Tuxedo, as well as many dear friends that live close and far and wide.

Predeceased by husband, Roger Demmans; twin daughters, Elaine and Eileen; sons, Garth and Lee John Demmans; mother and stepfather, Winnie and Del Anderson; father, Mervin Boldrick; sister and brother-in-law, Gail and Ted Farnsworth and great niece, Kaynae Renfrew.

Mum and her sister Gail grew up in Vancouver with Stanley Park as their backyard. Mum had successful work careers that she enjoyed over her life. Ending her career as a Business Manager at the Kamloops Phoenix Centre when she retired in 2010 and she took the family to Disneyland to celebrate, the happiest place on earth (and it was!).

Mum loved games and cards, mostly the card game Bridge. She enjoyed attending her Bridge tournaments and playing online with her friends during covid, mostly the commodity and strategy of the game. Mum and Brittany created Bridge score books that were sold all over Canada and the USA.

Mum was active over the years in many sporting activities until her health started to decline. Mum enjoyed downhill skiing, golfing and was a member at the Kamloops Gold and Country Club, bowling, baseball and of course was the best spectator and cheerleader of all her children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends sporting activities.

Mum had many traveling adventures. Mexico, Yuma, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Disneyland, Hawaii, Maritimes, driving across Canada with her sister Gail, road trips around BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and attending family reunions which were so important to Mum. And of course, many camping adventures with family and friends and one summer, 29 days of rain! These are just a few of her adventures.

Mum’s favorite adventures were always with her grandchildren of course. She took each grandchild on an adventure of some sort with their great grandmother, GG.

Mum was kind and thoughtful in so many ways to so many people, doing many acts of random kindness for so many. She loved her friends dearly and her family even more with a fierceness like no other. She was firm when needed, and one always knew she would tell you like she saw things, calling a spade a spade. Lived life with integrity, strength, and never gave up when times were difficult.

We all will miss Mum’s incredible wit, sense of humour, extensive knowledge of all things – her memory of everyone’s birthday, wedding, the list goes on and her “Mrs. Fix It” abilities of all things.

Excerpt from Mum’s granddaughter Hailey that was posted on Facebook regarding Mum’s passing. I had asked Hailey to be our family communications liaison on social media.

Grandma was transported from Royal Inland Hospital to Marjorie Willoughby Hospice House on November 2nd. While there, Grandma had excellent care and was made to be comfortable. Grandma passed in her sleep on November 4th. Grandma said that she could see her Mum, sister, brother-in-law, grandfather (Andy Boldrick), husband and her two sons, Garth and Lee visiting her during her stay at Hospice and in hospital. While it has been incredibility difficult to begin adjusting to life without Grandma, we all take comfort in knowing that she so many loved ones waiting to help her transition to her next journey.

My Mum, Christine Baker, was very devoted to Grandma during her last days. She stayed overnight with Grandma while in hospital and hospice to ensure that Grandma would not be alone. When she could not be there, Grandma’s incredible friends would be by her side to keep her company. Aileen, Donna, Trudy and Jane and many others family and friends. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

My brother Shae Baker and sister, Brittany Alexander are also very grateful to have had such a wonderful Grandmother, who attended every soccer game, school play, or any other event we were in. A Grandma-sized hole has been left in our hearts. We visited with her as much as we could in her last days and filled with so much gratitude in knowing that we were able to express our thanks to her for always being there for us.

A graveside gathering will take place on Friday, November 15th at 11 am. Mum will be placed between her two boys, Garth and Lee John at Kamloops Cemetery, Section Y (1-13) row 5 as she had wished. Family and friends are welcome to join us for the gathering and a lunch afterwards at Valhalla Smoke House, as the true Irish lady that Mum was, she enjoyed her meat and potatoes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kamloops Marjorie Willoughby Hospice House in Mum’s honour.