On Sunday, August 30, 2015, Bonnie Beattie passed away quietly at Tatagwa View Nursing Home in Weyburn, SK at the age of 91 years, with two of her long-term caregiver nurses at her side. Bonnie was predeceased by her parents, Albert and Mary Jane Maxted and by her 7 brothers and 6 sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Jan (Jim) Keating of Kenosee Lake, SK and their daughters, Tara (Dave) Keating-Jaap of Weyburn and Trenna (Alden) Keating-Adair of Toronto, ON; one son, Craig Beattie of Edmonton, AB and his children: son, Cory (Tamie Fromant) Beattie of St. Albert, AB and their family: Cole, Erica and Nicholas and Maguire; daughter, Nina (Gary) Ulmer of Stony Plain, AB and their children, Angus, Baron and Morgan; son, Jaret (Assunta) Beattie of St. Albert, AB and their children, Francesco and Chiara as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Her father, Albert emigrated from Nottingham, England to Canada in 1903 with his wife, Mary Jane and their first infant daughter (Ethel) following in 1904 once Albert could find suitable employment. Albert took on farm work west of Brandon near Hall Bridge, MB. While living in the Brandon area, they added 13 more children to their family, Bonnie being the youngest. She was born on September 14, 1923. In 1935, when Bonnie was 12, the family moved to Abbotsford, BC.
Bonnie was a star student and education was extremely important to her. It was devastating to her when her father passed away (in 1938) and her mother made her quit school with a grade 8 education and go out to work to help support herself and her mother (who had a grade 3 education herself and was not able to work to support them).
As a teenager, Bonnie also developed a love for art and music. She loved to paint watercolours of mountain landscapes. She also loved drawing pictures of poster pin-up girls during WWII. She loved to sing and had a beautiful soprano voice. She used her talent in singing by joining the Calvary Baptist choir as an adult and once sang a solo in the 50-year reunion in a musical drama (called ‘Til We Meet Again) put on by the Weyburn Legion for the South Saskatchewan Regiment.
Around 1940, while working as a waitress in Brandon, Bonnie was introduced to a young RCAF serviceman named, Doug Beattie. Romance blossomed and on September 15, 1942 they were wed in Brandon. Before they married, Bonnie began working in a jewelry store in Brandon and contrary to what was considered “normal” custom in that day, she did not quit her job once she was married. Over the years, this decision and determination to work outside the home was prominent in her personality. Fortunately, Doug was easy going and never questioned her decision on the matter.
During the war, Doug’s parents had moved to Weyburn. When the war ended and Doug needed work, his father suggested they form a partnership and purchase a blacksmith shop from Louis Bell. In 1945, Doug moved his bride from Brandon to Weyburn. When his father retired, Doug got work as a journeyman welder for the Department of Highways and worked there until his retirement. Doug and Bonnie formed many lasting friendships through Doug’s employment with Department of Highways.
Doug formed a band in Weyburn, called The Vagabonds. They were a popular band that played for many occasions and events in Weyburn and surrounding communities. They were a regular on weekends for many years at the Legion in Weyburn. Doug and Bonnie were active members and took great pleasure in serving in Legion affairs. Doug was awarded his “Lifetime Membership” and Bonnie helped in the kitchen and serving at teas and functions as well as visitation of the sick on behalf of the Legion.
Bonnie eventually went back to school to continue her education that had been abruptly ended. She achieved her grade 12 through Adult Education classes and went on to get her diploma in Office Education by attending classes in Regina. She was a high achiever and often got 100% on exams which delighted her and made her family very proud. She achieved a scholastic award for her great efforts and went on to seek employment as a secretary. She worked for Miles Agencies, the Bank of Commerce, Souris Valley Hospital (private secretary to one of the psychiatrists) in Weyburn and later worked for the government in Vital Statistics and eventually for SaskPower in Regina.
Although working outside the home was of great importance to her, Bonnie never shirked her duties as a wife and mother. She ran a tight ship at home and things had to be clean and polished. She baked bread and washed clothes on Saturdays and waxed and polished those old linoleum floors to a brilliant sheen! There were always homemade cookies and muffins and her pastry was to die for. Cotton linens were starched and pressed and folded immaculately. She was an excellent seamstress making clothes for her daughter and mending and darning were always kept up. Her artistic talent and eye for colour, scale and form came in handy when decorating her home. She set a beautiful table and enforced good table manners with her children. Home and family were very important to her.
Sadly, she developed Alzheimer’s disease in her later life and eventually moved into permanent care at Souris Valley Hospital in June, 2004. She was amongst the first group of residents to be moved into the new facility at Tatagwa View Nursing Home. Her loving husband, Doug, joined her there when he also became a resident in the spring of 2008.
Although Bonnie was suffering the memory losses from Alzheimer’s, she did have happy times in the earlier part of life in the care facilities. She always loved to attend the music sessions and would sing and whistle and sometimes dance. She could still knit and read a little when she first lived there and even after she lost the ability to communicate well, she was included in musical activities. The family would like to thank the staff at Tatagwa for making her last years as pleasant as possible. It was a comfort to know that in her very last moments, she was not alone but was attended by two nurses that had been her long-term caregivers and who knew her very well. They were kind enough to phone Bonnie’s daughter, Jan, and include Jan in those last few moments by phone. Also special thanks to Dr. Katie Fong and Philip Fong who both cared for Bonnie.
Bonnie will be laid to rest beside her darling husband at Green Acres Memorial under their tombstone that says, “Love Eternal” which says it all about Doug and Bonnie and their true devotion to one another for the 66 years they were married. Visitation was held on Tueday, September 8, 2015 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, Saskatchewan. The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at 2:30 pm from Calvary Baptist Church, Weyburn, Saskatchewan with Reverend Doug Loden officiating. Interment took place at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Pallbearers were Tara Keating-Jaap, Trenna Keating-Adair, Cory Beattie, Nina Ulmer, Jaret Beattie and Tyson Eddy. The family wishes to thank Reverend Doug Loden and Fletcher’s Funeral Home for their assistance at this time. Donations in memory of Bonnie, may be made to the Alzheimer Society or Calvary Baptist Church.
Mom knew that she was losing her memory and she would often say to us, “. . . if I can only remember this one day, it would be this day”. Well, darling mother, when you lost your memory and couldn’t remember those special days, your family could and still does. As long as there is a breath in us, you live on in our hearts and minds. God bless and say “hi” to Dad and give him our love. God will take care of you until we meet again. You are “Going Home” at last!
Condolences may be left at:
Arrangements entrusted to
Fletcher Funeral Chapel
Weyburn, Saskatchewan
306-842-5432
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