Tribute

It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of Doris Bean, our loving mother.

Doris will be sadly missed by all the family, friends and others who knew her or whose lives she touched. She was a woman of kindness, compassion, understanding, love, generosity, integrity, humility and stamina.

Doris is pre-deceased by her daughter, Carla Jeanette Bean, her sister Irene Hubbard, her brother in law, Lyle Hubbard, her parents, Henry and Rolande Beaubien of Kelowna, BC, and her sister in law, Margaret Beaubien and her brother in-law, Smokey Doucet. Her brother Ray Beaubien of Williams Lake and all of his children who she thought of often and corresponded with regularly as well as her sister, Marie Doucet of Spokane whowill all be greatly saddened by Doris’s passing. She will be greatly missed and was greatly loved, respected and admired by her three children: Claudia Kathryn Mynott (nee Bean)& her husband, Terry Mynott, Brenton Emerson Bean and his wife, Sandy Bean, and Roxanne Yvette Bean and her husband, Wayne Berrigan.

Her grandchildren who she fondly loved and cared for will be left with many fond memories as time goes on and they will remember herwith much love: Casey Mynott, and his wife, Vanessa Mynott, Chris Mynott, Danielle Walker (nee Mynott) and her husband, Nigel Walker, Carly Bean, Amanda Schmuck (nee Bean) and her husband, Andreas, William Emerson Edge and his wife, Danielle Edge (nee) Sherrell and Robert Alexander Edge. Doris’s fivegreat grandchildren have lost their great Nana Bean whom they loved: Jordan Mynott, Ashton Mynott, Naomi Mynott, Hudson Walker and Colton Walker.

Doris Bean left an indelible mark on the hearts of all the people who she loved and who loved her. She would never miss a birthday, an anniversary, and always acknowledged and recognized all of our family’s achievements and events. Doris was born on April 9, 1926 in a small cabin built by her father, Henry Beaubien in the small mining town of Minto, BC. She would be the second eldest of four children who homesteaded and carved out a life for herself in her beloved Bridge River valley. Today, better known as the Spruce Lake recreation area between Lillooet and Gold Bridge, BC. Doris led a pioneer life (book, “Wilderness Dream” story of the Beaubien family) as a child on the homestead until she was nine years old when the government forced the sale of their land to evacuate prior to flooding the valley for BC’s first big hydro- electric dam which is now Carpenter Lake. Being raised and accustomed to country life in the Cariboo-Chilcotin coast left a big imprint on Doris and never left her soul. She told many accounts of her pioneer life which included all the things she loved: horseback riding, ranching, farming, guiding hunting with her dad, hiking, dancing, playing her guitar, picking berries, eating wild game and growing all their own food. She had many outdoor pursuits in her beloved valley.

Doris led quite an accomplished life. After leaving Minto, BC they moved to Armstrong where she attended high school while living with a farm family. After that, she entered Nurses training at St. Paul’s hospital in Vancouver, BC. At that time, it was run by the nuns. She loved being a registered nurse and loved helping people with many things. While in the hospital she met her future husband, married and moved about the province until they settled in Surrey, BC where Doris became a nurse at Surrey Memorial hospital in 1959. She had four children in total: Claudia, Carla, Brent and Roxanne. Carla was born disabled. Over time, Doris endured several hardships and challenges all the while, surviving, being resourceful, resilient and sharp. She clung to her values from her strong family upbringing and was triumphant.

Doris ascended to the position of head nurse of pediatrics at Surrey Memorial hospital for a time then retired and spent many hours providing support for her children, grandchildren, babysitting, visiting, and generally caring for everyone who would drop by. She was always with you. Her listening skills were well developed. She was a well-respected and fondly thought of nurse. On the children’s ward, the child patients would refer to her a “ Jellybean ” or nurse “Jellybean” . Mom was loved by many of her colleagues at the hospital and she loved them.

Her love of country music was extensive. Her personal favorites were Johnny Cash. In heaven she is probably dancing to “ I walk the line “ or June Carter’s family rendition of “ may the circle be unbroken” with mother Maybell Carter on the washboard. She was, in essence, one of the most authentic and genuine people you will ever meet on this planet.

She would always have cold drinks and sandwiches available: day or night. Many of her children have multiple stories of how she not only modeled strong parenting skills but she was steadfast and firm in her beliefs. She could be strong willed and resolute. This is how she survived some of life’s difficult times. Doris was an active member of the Newton and Whalley legions’ Ladies auxillary. She spent countless volunteer hours making food for a variety of legion events. She was very much appreciated and they could always rely on her for help. Besides loving her family, Doris loved animals and children. She believed in helping the most vulnerable in society and was empathetic to those less fortunate.

Of all the aspects of Doris’s life, she was a warrior and survivor and a humanitarian. She loved people and wanted to help them. May she rest in peace knowing she was loved greatly by her family, her friends and all those who she helped.

Doris’s children would like to acknowledge and thank the staff and especially the nursing staff of ElimVilliage (Harrison wing) for their amazing and professional care and support they gave to our mom for the last four months. They took such good care of our mother and we will never forget the daily kindness and compassion which was so evident.