True to her gentle, uncomplaining nature, Beryl (Eileen) Osmond slipped quietly away on June 2, 2011 in Vernon Jubilee Hospital. She had suffered from a massive cranial bleed on May 15. Up to that time, she had been her normal, vital, intelligent self, enjoying life the way she wanted, with crossword puzzles and a book of poetry beside her favorite chair.
Beryl was born in London, England in 1915, the only daughter of William Osmond, O.B.E. and Lily Davis. After finishing school, she joined the secretarial ranks at Phoenix Assurance Company and worked all through War II’s infamous “blitz”, sometimes not reaching her desk until 11 a.m. or later, thanks to the chaos created by the previous night’s bombing. Although she was always a quiet and private person, she made such an impact on her fellow Phoenix employees that even though she outlived most of them, their families lovingly stayed in touch with her.
She was predeceased by her parents and two brothers.
In the early 1960s, Beryl decided to visit her Canadian cousin, Claire Cooper, the nurse/librarian at the Vernon Hospital. Beryl fell so deeply in love with our country, she decided to immigrate and become a Canadian citizen. Wanting to contribute to her new home, she accepted a job with School District #22. From 1965 to 1975, she was the extremely competent administrative secretary to Jim Green, the Board’s secretary treasurer. On her retirement from SD 22, she was made a Life Member of “The Order of the Girls of the Bored”, with 44 signatures bearing witness to her popularity.
Shortly after settling in Vernon, her love of music led her to join her cousin in the choir at All Saints’ Anglican Church. For almost the next 50 years, she offered her voice, her faithfulness and her generosity – and now she will always be a part of the church. Beryl chose to be cremated and her ashes will be in All Saints columbarium in perpetuity.
When her cousin died in the early 1990’s, Beryl thought it was time “go home” - to England. In less than six months, she realized her adopted country had become her true home instead and she moved back to Vernon. Canadian crossword puzzles couldn’t make the grade, though, and she continued to have the English version mailed to her on a regular basis. They undoubtedly helped her become the Scrabble whiz she was.
A celebration of Beryl’s life will be held at All Saints Church, 3205 – 27th Street (entrance off 26th Street) at 2 p.m., Friday, June 10, the Reverends Harwood-Jones and Harrison officiating. Afternoon tea will follow in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation in Beryl’s memory is invited to contribute to the All Saints’ Anglican Church Memorial fund or the charity of their choice.
Cremation arrangements were in the care of Vernon Funeral Home 250-542-0155. Condolences may be offered at www.vernonfuneralhome.com
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