Bea Brown
July 16, 1923 — January 17, 2015
Beatrice Elizabeth Brown
(nee McLachlan)
Beatrice (Bea) Brown (nee McLachlan) passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 17, 2015 with family by her side. Mom was born July 16, 1923 and raised on a farm in the vicinity of Bagot in the RM of North Norfolk.
She attended Image Creek School and Portage Collegiate Institute and furthered her education at Success Business College in Winnipeg. She worked at a branch of the Commerce Bank in Winnipeg as well as at the Portage District General Hospital prior to her marriage to Dad in 1949.
Mom was predeceased by her beloved husband Wally in 1995, parents Stewart and Isabelle McLachlan, brother Graham McLachlan, special sister-in-law Dorothy (Dot), infant grandson Kurt Martin and niece Brenda Wilkinson. Mom is survived by her son Bruce and daughter Sheila Graham both of Portage la Prairie; daughter Diane Martin (George Picard) of Calgary AB, grandsons Kevin and Kyle Martin (Jen and Berlynn); son Mark (Jackie) of High River AB, granddaughters Taylor and Mackenzie Brown; as well as special nieces Lynn McLachlan, Lois Bouchard, Sharon Memryk and Trish Garrioch; cousins Dorothy Klassen and Stewart (Eleanor) Green.
Mom was a very quiet person whose life revolved around her loving family. She enjoyed raising her children and actively supported their activities. Mom loved her summer nights sitting in the veranda of her house on Countess Ave. Her pastimes included camping with family at Clear Lake up until she was 88 years old, gardening where she took great pride in her flowers, listening to music (especially Daniel O’Donnell and bagpipe music), watching Lawrence Welk, bowling, crossword puzzles and loved playing scrabble and card games. Mom especially enjoyed car rides, picnics at Island Park and walks around Crescent Lake. She was a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jays.
Mom travelled to Buffalo, New York City, England and Scotland with her close friend Isabelle Jessen. Trips with family took her to Black Hills N.D., Las Vegas, the West Coast, Thunder Bay and London ON.
The family would like to thank the staff of The Douglas Campbell Lodge and The Portage District General Hospital for their wonderful care of Mom
A Celebration of Bea’s Life will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 2:00 pm at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel led by Rev. Julie Baker. Interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery.
As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Bea’s memory to the Douglas Campbell Lodge Foundation, c/o Portage District General Hospital, 150-9 th St.SE, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3T6
A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. 204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com