Beatrice Lea Charles was born February 19, 1935 to Emile and Beulah Charles on their family farm in the Maple Hill district. She passed away peacefully February 2, 2016 at the Hartney Community Center at the age of 80. She was the oldest of nine siblings and the matriarch of her family. She attended school at Maple Hill and Lauder. Schooling came easy to her and she joined track and field and playing ball with the Lauder Ladies. After completing her Permit Licences, she taught school at Oak View and Kola. Years later she worked as an Education Assistant at the Hartney School. Beatrice married Henry Charles on July 15, 1953. In July 1954 Beatrice joined Henry in Dusseldorf Germany where he was stationed with United Nations Peace Keeping Force. They returned back to Manitoba in 1955 and lived in Pierson until they bought the farm on SW 21-6-25 in the Grande Clairiere district where they raised five children. Dianna (Don Freeman), Shirley (Ross Dunn), Raymond (deceased Feb. 16, 2014), Nancy (Glenn Elliott), Mark (Susan Chop) and Michael (died as an infant). She was also the matriarch of our family. Beatrice always worked hard and contributed very much to her and Henry’s marriage and their farming operation. She milked cows, churned butter, fed hogs, had a huge garden, picked wild fruit, and drove tractor all summer in the hay field. Although she worked hard she still had time for her family, the community and her hobbies. She was a wonderful cook and made the best home bread around. She enjoyed cooking for her family. Everyone was always welcomed at her table for a meal or a coffee but she insist that you ate something with your coffee. She enjoyed playing cards, Bingo, curling and in later year watching curling, reading music and community work. Beatrice and Henry loved to dance, the unique way they held hands together as they floated across the floor will be a memory to cherish. Beatrice was patient and dedicated to her family, her faith and her community. She has incredible strength and determination to persevere, no matter what life threw her way. She did it with her warm smile, sparkling blue eyes and her quiet unselfish manner. She will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by her children 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Our family is a circle of love and strength. With every union the circle grows. Ever jot shred adds more love, Ever crisis faced together, Makes the circle stronger.
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My deepest sympathies to you Nancy, Shirley, Mark and Dianna and all of your families. I have many fond memories of your mom. She was a great hostess and visitor. she will be greatly missed. May you all take comfort in the days that come from all the wonderful memories you have.
Mark and Nancy,
I am sorry to hear of Beatrice’s passing. I have fond memories of her. She loved the students. She was patient and fair with them and with me. Sometimes she accepted me, as someone who needed to be mothered, and she did a good job of “maturing me”. She had a great sense of humor. She would laugh with the kids and give them a hug. If she laughed, it was with me, not at me. I appreciated her.
She raised hard working and respectful kids.
Once again, I am sorry for “our” loss.
Nancy, Glen and family
So sorry to hear of the passing of your mom and grandmother. Sending our deepest sympathies to you all. Hugs
Sincere sympathy to Diana , Shirley, Nancy and Mark and families on the passing of your mother and grandmother. She leaves behind great memories for all who knew her.
To Beatrice and Henri’ family-
Our heartfelt sympathies on the passing of your Mom. We have such fond memories of your parents from times long past – curling, playing cards and at the dances in the GC Hall-especially of them dancing the polka and ‘chautisse’. We all had such a fun back in the day!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Nancy and Mark.
I always liked your mom. She also kept us GC /Hicks kids in line on the bus!