My memories of Bea (and Wallie) are sweet--warmhearted, kind and devoted to their God, friends and family. This Alberta girl remembers the rows of delicious canned peaches and pears on their shelves--something not common to me. Yum,  every time I visited. Bea became a fill-in Mom for me when my own mother was deteriorating with Alzheimer's. Both Bea and Wallie now rest in the same cemetery as Mel--awaiting the call of the Life Giver. Come soon Lord Jesus. Come soon!

Gladys Steinke Wentland

Mother was always making sure we were well looked after growing up. I remember getting plenty of attention and privileges as the youngest in the family. I often worked with Dad helping him but it was Mom who we saw working non-stop cooking, cleaning, bookkeeping for Dad, etc, without ever complaining. In summers, we picked berries at the Promontory farm plus they loved to do lots of weekend camping or visit to relatives.

Mom started working for others soon after I started school, and would take me with her as a kid in summer. I lived at home until age 22 and have been fortunate to spend most of my life living within a few kilometers of Mom. Mom rarely called, yet always made me feel welcome, so I find it difficult to not be able to just drop in and see her like before.

Family meant so much to Mom, especially her brothers and families who we got together with whenever we could. Mom had a good sense of humor, yet was rather businesslike and rarely showed emotions, perhaps due to growing up with her seven brothers. She was also very generous and loved to serve God and her church. She truly cared about others more than herself. 
   
Alan (son)

Grandma was older when I was born as I am the youngest grandchild or the "baby" in the family. Something that I remember are Grandma's bird houses, well I think Grandpa made them but Grandma was very interested in the birds that made nests in them. She had a big garden and I remember her working outside doing yard work. 

Since I was interested in the piano, I noticed and listened when Grandma played either her piano or her organ.  She even let me play them sometimes. I remember sleeping on the floor in Grandma and Grandpa's room. I remember playing croquet with Grandma and Grandpa and my brother, Everett. I also remember eating tacos at their house on Friday nights. 

Grandma was not a fast eater. I remember finishing my third plate of food and Grandma was still only half done her first plate. I think she even ate slower as she got older. She always had room to eat ice-cream and it was always in her freezer.

We miss you, Grandma. Sorry we had to say, "Good-bye."

Love, Stephanie (granddaughter)



We miss you Mom (Grandma)

Here is a photo of Don, Jeanne, Mindi and Monte. It was taken Christmas, 1988. 

I have only good memories of my Grandma. When I was young I used to love to visit my Grandma and Grandpa Hamilton. Grandma was always patient with me. She let me play her special organ that she had worked so hard to buy. I played it and entertained myself for many hours. I remember she always had wonderful chocolate chip cookies like none other. They were so good. Grandma was a good cook and I also remember eating a lot of her home-made gluten steaks. No one else could compare. Grandma canned and dried a lot of fruit that she used to let us have, even to take some home. Grandma worked hard but she always had time to talk with me, play games or read to me. The last time I saw Grandma was only a couple of weeks before she took her last breath. She was too tired to get up to talk to me but I know she knew I was there and I'll forever be grateful for that.

Monte Vories (grandson)

This photo was taken at Wallie and Bea's 55th wedding anniversary December 28, 1998 at the Ramada Inn in Abbotsford.

Henning and I were privileged to share the same anniversary as Wallie and Bea. For years we exchanged cards to remember our special day.  They also gave me the best friend in Jeanne, that one could ever hope for.  When visiting Jeanne it often was around a White family get together.  These occasions included a lot of visiting of different age categories, lots of laughter and good food.  I always remember Bea as talented, a high achiever, full of energy and one who lived life to the fullest.  Growing up with all those brothers seemed to prepare her for a full life.  She was a devout Christian and her church and church duties were important to her. We look forward to the day when we will all meet again. 

Carolyn and Henning Hauvre



Bea and I were always close as a brother and sister. When we left Vancouver and went back to Parkside. I was in grade 1A and Bea was in 1B. Since they did not have the same grade separation in Parkside, we were placed in the same grade for the rest of our years of school. 

We always stuck up for each other. Amazing that again in our later years, we lived together for six years and enjoyed each others company. She was a good sister and I will miss her.

Bill White (brother), age 97


Thinking of you and holding you up in prayer.

Praying for you as you navigate the loss of your mother. I hold dear to the fact of the second coming and hope also the memories are a warm balm to your heart!!

Much love,
Kristen Taylor

I am keeping you close in thought. This comes to you with sympathy especially to say so many warm and caring thoughts are there with you today. May it somehow be a help and comfort just to know how often you'll be thought of through the days that come and go.

I am deeply sorry to hear about your mother's passing. You have been in my thoughts and prayers throughout this month and will continue to be. May Jesus surround you with His sweet peace every day. I pray He comforts you and holds you tight in His loving arms. 

With much love,  Shintell


Grandma was always a kind and generous person. I always remember when I was little she would bake really good chocolate chip cookies. We would sometimes play the game of croquet the back yard of Grandma and Grandpa's house. That was lots of fun. 

Everett (grandson)

I have so many wonderful memories of Grandma.  Some that stand out are all the delicious treats she would always have when we arrived at her house.  She always had a round Tupperware container full of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and you could always count on them to have a fridge full of gallon ice cream containers, and often peppermint candy ice cream.  

In the summer and fall she would always have fruit dryers, (several of them), all going with  different kinds of dried fruits and fruit leather.  I remember all kinds of fun games in their closet that we would play.  Grandma took me with her on her bus route and let me hang around the kitchen when she was cooking, baking or making her delicious gluten.  I always loved visiting and would always cry when it was time to say good-bye. I wished we lived closer.  

Mindi (granddaughter)

"Proud to have a son-in-law like you." Wow . . . those were the words coming from my mother-in-law just months before she went to sleep for the last time. Most people that know Bea, know that she was very close to her siblings, more so than to her own children, it seemed. She was stoic, yet very hospitable and kind to all. As for her family, I felt I could not get close to her. She always cooked a good meal and we always looked forward to coming to visit Grandma and Grandpa Hamilton. Our family averaged over three trips per year to visit, sometimes staying a week. We even lived within a mile of their home for a year and a half in the early seventies. There was never a bad word between us, but what was it that made it so hard to get to really know her?  What makes it so hard now to let go of her? Getting her to say, "I love you" each time we left their home was a real challenge. When she was hugged, she did not respond. But what was good, is in her last remaining weeks, she did say, "I love you" on her own several times, without coaching. That brought tears to my eyes. Wow!! She did it and the statement that I began this tribute with really made up for all the other times she held back.

She was a very good grandma to our kids and was very proud of them.  They loved her. I couldn't ask for a better mother-in-law.  Breaking through the shell and getting from her these words of affirmation in the last months of her life really impressed me.  Growing up in the era she grew up in and having all brothers and no sisters made her who she was.  As I am thinking back, she did a lot of adapting to the modern ways of thinking that at times really surprised me.  She was a very special person to me. It has been really hard to get over her loss. All I know is that I miss her dearly.  

With love, 
your son-in-law, Don


May God who sees your grieving heart and hears each tender prayer, be ever near to give you peace and keep you in His care. He takes care of His people like a shepherd, He gathers them like lambs in His arms and carries them close to Him. Isaiah 40: 11 NCV

With caring sympathy in your loss. I can't imagine the feelings that come with losing one's beloved mom, but still feel deeply for you and your family. I pray that God brings you peace and comfort during this difficult time. Sending you a hug from afar.

Kelsey Thorpe


With sympathy and caring.  Trust Him when your doubts seem strong. Trust Him when your strength seems small. Trust Him when to simply trust Him seems the hardest thing of all. May our father grant you comfort, take you gently by the hand, and help you in your sorrow to accept and understand.

Thoughts and Prayers are with you. Aunt Bea was a very important part of my upbringing. She is missed already.

Love and hugs,
Merrielee and Ken Wright (niece)


A special person remembered and a beautiful life honored, with sympathy.  Won't that Chilliwack Cemetery be a grand reunion place on that day Jesus returns.  Our sincere sympathy on the loss of your Mom. I loved both your Mom and Dad. May God's promises bring you peace and comfort, knowing your Mom now sleeps until that great resurrection day.

Gladys and Lorin Wentland


Remembering with you. I know this is a time of memories for you so I join you in spirit and in prayer to the One who gathers our tears in a bottle and whose compassion endures forever.

Thoughts and prayers for the loss of your loved one.
Blessings, Myrna and Alex Zapotichny


I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die. John 11: 25.
For the memory and memories of a little lady that touched us all in a big way. She, I am sure, has left a void in your lives, but has left you with so much.

Lots of love to her family
from David and Donna Struthers and Norma Pierce


May warm memories and dear friends comfort you in your time of sorrow. It is very sad to "lose" my mom's cousin (and my second cousin), Beatrice, but I am glad that she lived a good long life.

With love,
Marj Phillips, (cousin and daughter of Jean Holman Phillips)


Our loved ones are a special part of our journeys, hearts, and stories--creating smiles, laughter and good times to remember. Hoping beautiful memories help to ease your sadness. So sorry for your loss. Hugs, Love you guys.

Roger and Susan (Vories) Joice

With our love and thoughts . . .We would love to be with you as you celebrate your Mom's life. She was a very special auntie and we have many memories of her on visits and also with Uncle Wallie earlier. It will be a wonderful day when Jesus comes and we will be together again. Let's all be faithful.  We hope your heart will be lifted by the love of friends and family and the memories you are holding close.

Ruth (niece) and Lloyd Knopp


Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family especially now.

So sorry to hear of the passing of Aunt Bea. She will be missed.  We are sending our love and best wishes. Flowers are also sent as a tribute.

Manly (nephew), Mary Jane, Elizabeth and Mary Cate 


With Heartfelt sympathy,
Sending encouragement as you find your way.  We are so very sorry for the passing of your Mom So very hard!! May God's comfort, peace and hope fill your hearts.

Warmly,
Steve and Heather Lee


With sympathy. Words are never enough at a time like this, but know that caring thoughts are with you. I lost my mother two years ago. I did not know it would be so hard!!  My thoughts and prayers are with you as you walk the path you have never traveled before.

Lois Blackwelder


It is healthy and honorable to weep at the loss of someone we love. Healthy because such passion must be released. Honorable because it is respectful to admit the importance of people who have loved and supported us . . . people whose footprints cannot ever be matched.

No magic words, just that we are sorry for the loss. Thinking of you.

Nadeen and Larry


In Sympathy. In the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge. Psalm 57:1

Our love and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May God's peace surround you in your season of grief.  we join you in sadness on the passing of your beloved mother. The way world conditions are now, it seems it can't be much longer till the greatest family reunion of all time happens when Jesus comes May you be comforted till then.

Love, Heather (niece) and Bob Switak 


Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

May your faith in the love and goodness of God carry you through the challenges of today, and may the care and concern of others strengthen and encourage you always.

It is hard to lose one's mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. I pray God will comfort you all.

With Heartfelt Sympathy---Love and prayers,
Marilyn Hubley (niece), Beckie and Rachel, 


Praying for you in your loss. There will be things that trigger tears and things that bring laughter, things that you never expected, but they will gently remind you of all the wonderful details that made life with your Mom such a precious gift.

With love,
Sonya (niece) and Laurin 


With heartfelt sympathy. May God's love heal your sorrow, and may His peace replace your heartache with warm and loving memories. Sending you sympathy and wishing you comfort.

With Christian love,
Garth and Karen (Neufeld) Dauncey


With heartfelt sympathy,

A new star in the night sky shines brightly for the ONE remembered in the heart.

We are thinking of you with sincere sympathy,

Dayle (nephew) and Linda White


Dear cousins,
The Journey Home. There is a path that leads to a turn in the road and we each must travel there, where the Father waits to take us home to the shelter of His care . . .Where happiness and peace and joy replace the tears and pain, and our loved ones rest in the arms of God to sweetly live again. Praying God will hold you close and gently ease your sorrow, heal your heart, and strengthen you for every new tomorrow.

Love from Maureen (niece) and Lorenna

My earliest memory of Bea was riding our bikes to her house from the Chilliwack Church School to do Home Ec in her kitchen as our church had no kitchen to cook in. As I grew older and played the piano for church service in Chilliwack, she always had a schedule which we followed. Even when I came to the Abbotsford church in her later years, her musical mind always wanted me to come and play special music in her church. We played together for many years. My family attended many potlucks at her home on Promontory. The church all went. There were no houses up there like there are today. Their farm was one of the only farms there. It was lots of fun when we were all so young.

We are so sorry for your loss of Bea. She was a good friend to our family since 1962--a long time. We will miss her. God bless you.

Norman and Laurie Trayer


My memories of Bea are our many games of Chinese checkers. The years we shared a room at BC Camp Hope. We talked after going to bed "non stop" I cherish our times together.

Joyce Taggart

The loss of a mother makes us long for heaven. What an amazing legacy Bea has left behind in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

You have orchestrated such a beautiful service in remembrance of your Mom. Such an organized, beautiful and creative time for your family and our church family. Thank you for all your expertise and energy you have shared. With care and prayers at this time.

What a privilege to get to know Bea for the last two and a half years here in the Abbotsford church. What a kind, talented, committed lady. She always asked about our son, Derek, who was in Egypt for a year as an SM. She had a "world view" and was very aware of life beyond her home town. I loved our last communion service at her care home the Sabbath before she died. It was an honor to serve her. We sang "I Come to the Garden Alone" together and she shared how nice it was to sing and how much she enjoyed music.  I look forward to singing and "communing" with her in heaven.
Pastor Tim and Linda Glatts

Thank you so much for all your encouragement  this year. You were always an open, listening ear. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Paul Glatts

I really appreciated your help with my SM year, You will always have a place in my heart.
Derek Glatts




The life she lived, the love she shared, the hearts she touched, the amazing woman she was. Thinking of you with heartfelt sympathy.

Dennis, Candy and Jessica (Vories)


May you find strength and comfort to help you through this time of sorrow. Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the recent loss of your mother, Beatrice.

Linda Felipez and staff of the WWU Technology Department


I just want you to know that you are surrounded by people who care and wish you the best. I'm praying for your peace at this difficult time.

Marianne Goltz

Since I was the youngest and just less than eight years younger than Bea, I admit that I was somewhat spoiled by her which continued throughout our lives. She gave me my first job which she took over from our oldest brother, Bob, after he was married and left home. That job was to copy the wheat prices down when they were announced over the radio. Her pay was fifteen cents for taking them down and I was paid one cent for delivering them to all three grain elevators in Parkside. It was not big money but it was all we had.

After our mother moved to Victoria, Bea and the rest of us worked for Mr. Blake, a church member, at Sunset Seed Farm pulling weeds most of our days until Wallie Hamilton came along and married her and took her to Chilliwack. Years after, I came to live with Bea and Wallie for nearly one year free of charge.

I don't remember ever squabbling with my sister. She was the only one I had and she was always very good to me. She always made sure I had enough to eat. Strangely she was never out of ice cream. I miss Bea but thankfully we can all look forward to seeing her again when we can all be united again--something really great to look forward to.

James Wilson White (brother)
(spoken by niece Heather Switak at the Memorial service for Beatrice)

It was a privilege for me to know Aunt Bea. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel through Europe with Aunt Bea, Uncle Bill, Aunt Edythe and my parents. We had a wonderful time. Since Uncle Wallie was not along, I roomed with Aunt Bea, so we had some fun times just the two of us.

I know Uncle Bill enjoyed living with her for six years here in Abbotsford. They had a wonderful close relationship and it was my privilege to spend several Christmases with them and we all enjoyed those times together. 
(spoken at the Memorial Service of my Aunt Beatrice)

And written later . . .
Over the course of my life I have fond thoughts of the many weekends and Christmases spent with my dear Aunt Bea. I loved her and felt loved by her. Her delicious gluten was made like no other I've ever had. An extra special time together was when we shared accommodation for several weeks in England, Scotland and Wales in 1986. 

At the end of our trip I can see her now sitting on the ground washing gluten to use up the flour we'd bought! Her influence on my life was positive and significant!

Heather (White) Switak, (niece)

As I think back over my childhood, I was fortunate. Although there were a lot of things that were not perfect, I had parents that cared for me and did the best they knew how. My mother was always generous with us and we knew she put us first ahead of herself. We always had food. We were always warm. We were always safe. We often did not have a lot but we didn't know it. Perhaps our parents hid from us that there was not a lot of money. I rarely saw my parents upset with each other and don't remember ever seeing them fight. Mom was a hard worker and we grew up knowing how to work, but we learned to have fun while we worked. My mother always welcomed my friends and wanted to get to know them.

I'm happy to have been able to spend a week every month with my mother for the last two and a half years that she was with us. During that time, I got to know her better than ever before. As we sat in her room, I had plenty of time to ask questions. I now have some regrets that I didn't know her better when we were younger. 

Thanks, Mom, for your sense of humor, your love for people, your generosity, your hospitality, your unselfishness. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to learn to cook. Thanks for encouraging me to continue to learn to sew and design my clothes and for teaching me more than I ever knew I was learning.

Mom didn't show her emotions often. She did have feelings, just didn't know how to show them. I felt the love but I never heard her tell me she loved me. It was the last couple of years that we kept saying, "I love you" and eventually she would say, "I love you, too." Getting her past this was one huge thing I will be forever thankful for during the last few months of her life.                      

Mom I miss you. You have been gone only a short while, yet it seems forever. Life is different now. I want to ask you questions but I can't. It's good to know we'll see you again someday in a much better place where there will be no more pain and suffering. 

With love,  Nancy "Jeanne" (daughter)




Here is a poem that we found with some of Bea's favorite keepsakes.

IT TAKES A MOTHER

It takes a mother's love
to make a house a home
A place to be remembered
no matter where we roam.
It takes a mother's patience
to bring a child up right
And her courage and her cheerfulness
to make a dark day bright.
It takes a mother's wisdom
to recognize our needs
And to give us reassurance
by her loving words and deeds.
And that is why, in all this world,
there could not be another
Who could fulfill God's purpose
as completely as a mother.

OBITUARY

Beatrice Lillian (White) Hamilton

September 18, 1922 – July 10, 2018

Henderson's Fraser Valley Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services