Beth Hone

BETH HONE (nee SPRINGER) Beth was born in Halkirk, Alberta on February 2, 1918. Her father was a bank manager in rural Alberta and Saskatchewan and while Beth was growing up her family moved frequently. In the summers, the family travelled by car and camped. The many moves and family camping trips were probably the start of Beth's love of travel and adventure. Beth got her teaching certificate in 1936 and her first teaching job was in the one-room Rankin School near Eatonia. She bragged there was running water in her teacherage the roof leaked. After two years of teaching, Beth and her sister Isobel went together to the University of Toronto where Beth received her B. Arts in 1941. During the summers they worked as waitresses at the Banff Springs Hotel. In 1959 she returned to teaching, this time teaching pottery at the University of Saskatchewan (Regina) and later in her own studio. Beth met her husband McGregor in Saskatoon, but it was during the war while she was teaching in Nanaimo and Mac worked at the Burrard Drydock in North Vancouver, that they began a romance that lasted more than 61 years. Together they raised their family, developed as artists, were active in community and Unitarian causes and travelled widely. Each was a strong person in their own right but together they were a force to be reckoned with. They shared a love of the visual and performing arts and attended concerts, theatre, dance performances and art shows in Regina and wherever their travels took them. And always there was lots of debate and discussion about what they had seen. They loved to entertain and Beth hosted many legendary parties. Another pleasure was working in her garden in Lumsden where she and Mac lived in the Domes for 34 years. Beth worked continuously as a potter for more than 50 years. Her work is included in a number of public and private collections such as the Museum of Fine Canadian Crafts in Charlottetown, and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. In 1998, Beth and Mac agreed to donate art work and their papers to the University Archives in Saskatoon to be a resource to students and faculty. Whatever Beth did she did with gusto and commitment and she had a great sense of humour. She always looked for the best in people and situations and over the years formed deep and lasting friendships. She was a teacher and mentor to many artists; she was a feminist and a socialist who backed up her beliefs with action. She ran for political office, served on regional and national Unitarian committees and the Board of the Wascana Centre Authority. Family was very important to Beth. Family vacations were annual events and Beth, Mac, Dave and Janet continued the Springer camping tradition. A special time was the year they spent in Europe traveling in summers by Volkswagen camper bus and during the school year staying in England where Beth studied pottery with Bernard Leach. Beth loved family gatherings, playing Scrabble with Janet and her mother Isobel, and trips to Vancouver to see son Dave always including a visit to the Island to see Dave and Frannie and good friends the Fitz-Geralds. Living near Jan and Jim meant that she was able to spend time with her grandchildren and recently her great-grandsons. Beth passed away peacefully in her sleep in Regina on Monday, April 25, 2011. She is survived by brother David Springer (Frances); sister Isobel; son Dave (Carol Baert); son-in-law Jim Hall (Jan Joel); grandchildren, Brenna Ackerman (Ryan) and William Hall; and great-grandchildren Ethan and Avery Ackerman. She was predeceased by her daughter Janet and husband McGregor. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. During the past six months, Beth was living at Extendicare Parkside. The family would like to thank the staff at Parkside for their care. A special thank you to Beth's friend Jane Knox, whose visits to Beth while she was at Parkside lifted her spirits. A Memorial Service will be held at the Unitarian Centre, 2700 College Avenue, Regina on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Beth may be made to the Unitarian Fellowship of Regina, P.O. 1591, Regina, SK, S4P 3C4. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com