Obituary of Beatrice Jane Ward

Our family is sad to announce the passing of our Mother, Beatrice Ward. She was born at Borden, SK, the fourth of eleven children born to John Reid and Mary Jane Forsey. Her early years were spent in Arelee and Perdue. In late 1945, she met John Ward. They married in Brantford ON August 17, 1946. Three of their five children (Maxine, Hope and Tim) were born in Brantford. Bea and John moved to SK in 1953. In the latter half of the 50s, Patricia and Barbara completed their family.

Bea was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She was a good cook and an excellent seamstress. She was involved in church and community work in all the towns we lived in - Wilkie, Phippen, Rosetown, Saskatoon (twice) and Prince Albert.

Mom and Dad were very hard workers, but loved to dance, play cards and visit with friends, neighbours and family. After the youngest started school, Mom got a job cutting fabric at Ethiers, then at Woolco in Prince Albert. Her own sewing room was well stocked, keeping her sewing late into the night at times. She shared her handy work with countless people.

After retirement, Bea and John returned to Saskatoon in 1992, establishing a new suburban home, yard, garage and basement - all this in their late 60s. After Dad's passing in 2007, Mom moved to Villa Royale for seven years, then to Amy McClure House for six years. A fall last year meant one last move to Harwood Manor in North Battleford. Mom had her 99th birthday while there, and we were all hoping she would see her hundredth this November.

Beatrice was predeceased by her parents John and Mary Reid, by husband John Ward and all of John's family; by 4 brothers- Gerald, Sam, Gordon and Stuart Reid; by four sisters Louise Tuson, Hannah Forsyth, Irene Friend and Shirley Woodside; by in-laws Bernice Reid, Roy Tuson, Alec Forsyth, Ernie Friend, Charlie Woodside and Roy Adler; and by great-granddaughter Erin Thiessen in 2000.

Beatrice is survived by sisters Marguerite Adler and Marlene (Bill) Swiderski; by her five children Maxine Ward, Hope Potter (Brian), Tim Ward, Patricia Priestner (Mike) and Barbara Ward. Surviving grandchildren are David Mills (Samantha), Lauren Mills; Gillian Ward, Ian Potter (Kerri McIntosh) , Keith Potter; Mitchell Ward (Elise), Yoana Ward, Pierce Ward; Jared Priestner (Sara), Colin Priestner (Alanna) and James Priestner (Michele Garceau); Meaghan Maga (Doug), Stephanie Bentley (Blaine) and Susan Minty (James). Also surviving are great-grandchildren Sarah (Adam Robinson), Zachary and Jonas Thiessen; Emerson Potter; Kian and Christian Ward; Jones, Cy and Julia Priestner; Pala and Elodie Priestner; Hannah and Parker Maga; Fynn and Tabitha Bentley; Ava and Emma Minty; and great-great grandson, Emmett Robinson. Many nieces and nephews will remember their Aunt Bea.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Harwood Manor for making her last few months comfortable. Memorial donations would be gratefully accepted by our parents' long-time church home, Mount Royal-Emmanuel United Church, 521 Vancouver Avenue North, or by a charity of your choice.

A memorial service is to be held June 24, 2023 at Mount Royal-Emmanuel United Church at 11 a.m., followed by a reception.