Beatrice MAITLAND

MAITLAND, Beatrice (McMillan)
June 6, 1922 - August 12, 2015
Beatrice began her last voyage peacefully on August 12, 2015 in her 94th year. She was predeceased by her husband Clifford (1991) and by her parents and siblings. She is survived by her children Alan (Barbara), Elaine (Konrad) Dytnerski, and David (Donna). Also survived by grandchildren Jacqueline (Sam) Corea, Heather Maitland, Andrew (Alejandra) Rivas, Marco (Lisa) Rivas, and Alicia, Rae-Anna, and Skye Maitland. Also surviving are grandchildren Alice, Jack, Oscar, Heleena, Brendan, Terance, Khloe and Ashlee. Bea lived a full and productive life, becoming a teacher at Normal School in Edmonton, then joining the RCAF Women's Division during the Second World War and going to London where she survived the Blitz. She met Clifford who was in the RCAF in London, married, and they were stationed at several bases in England and Canada until Clifford retired in 1970. While raising children, Bea was always employed from teaching eight grades in a one-room school house to being an Immigration Officer in the Federal Civil Service. She was involved in community service and especially loved being in choirs. Until two years ago, she was a regular volunteer in the Calgary Military Museums in the RCAF museum. She was a lifelong learner earning her B.A. in 1969. She was a voracious reader and writer, publishing several short stories and self- publishing her autobiography at 85 years old. She travelled the world including Russia, Australia, South Africa, China and many countries in between as well as taking many cruises. She loved gardening and her gardening efforts with roses brought her many awards. She loved TV sports, especially Blue Jays games, during which she would record each player's actions in her official score keeping book. Scrabble was her favourite board game, and she usually won. She was always courageous and would never give up a chance to travel or engage in a new activity. Above all, she was always cheerful, positive and always made the best of any situation. Our thanks go out to the loving care that Bea received from the staff at the Chartwell Eau Claire Retirement Home as well as the Manor Village at Huntington Hills. A Private Family Memorial Service has been held and her remains have been interred at Naramata, BC, a place that she loved.