Mrs. Beatrice Thomas

THOMAS, Beatrice Bea (nee Hardwick) Born in Hall's Prairie, BC on September 21, 1918, Bea passed away peacefully at home on October 15, 2011. Bea grew up in Richmond, BC and attended UBC. In Ottawa during the Second World War she worked for the British Admiralty Technical Mission and then the National Film Board before returning to Vancouver to work in the custom brokerage industry. It was in Ottawa that she first met James D. (Pat) Thomas (predeceased September 2008) in 1944. They met again in Vancouver and were married in 1948, first settling in Norgate in North Vancouver before building their home in West Vancouver in 1955. Bea is survived by her sister Alice Joslin; her son, Craig (Colleen) and grandchildren, Carolyn and Christine; and her son, Jim (Vicki) and grandchildren, Jeffrey (Leslie) and Melanie. Bea will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her enthusiasm for sports and her love of gardening. Many thanks to Dr. Bell-Irving and her staff and to the staff from Home Instead. A special thank you to Nancy Robert and Aurelia Wedenig. A memorial service and the Celebration of Life will take place at Ocean View Cemetery, 4000 Imperial Street, Burnaby, BC V5J 1A4 on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 2:00 pm. As athletics were such a part of the Thomas Family, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to KidSport BC at #260 - 3820 Cessna Drive, Richmond, BC, V7B 0A2, or online at www.kidsportcanada.ca . KidSport is a community-based sport charity that provides grants for children aged 6 - 18 to participate in a sport season of their choice.

Published in Vancouver Sun and/or The Province on October 25, 2011