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Beatrice Ann Laycock

May 4, 2005

LAYCOCK, Mrs. Beatrice Ann (nee Sterling)

Passed away May 4th, 2005

in Parksville, B.C., with her family at her side


Her rich life is remembered by her daughters, Dixie Lee (Carl) Weiss, Margo Sterling Laycock (Rob Liddicoat) and Gayla (Ted) Strong,

all of Parksville; by her grandchildren Tasha (David) Weiss Jardine, Shilo (Kevin) Weiss Tsutsumi, Gya (Jim) Joslin, Shea and Esme

Liddicoat, Lica Sterling Laycock, all of Parksville, and Berg Devine, Tristen (Damian) Weiss Graham, Adam and Joshua Frances all of

Victoria; by her great grandchildren MacKenna and Amelia Jardine of Parksville; by her sisters Diana (Ron) Nielsen of Melfort, Sask., Iris

(Len) Butchart of Chilliwack; by her brother Victor Sterling of Shellbrook. and by her numerous nephews and nieces.

She was predeceased by her husband Walter Laycock, parents Victor and Elizabeth Sterling, sisters Norma Bittner and Myrna Mitran,

brothers Stanley Sterling and Charlie Sterling.

Beatrice was born in Shellbrook, Sask. on December 23, 1921. After high school, Bea spent three years working in a war plant in Hamilton,

Ontario. In 1944, she returned home and registered for the nursing program at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. That September, her Dad

died suddenly. He had been recently elected to Tommy Douglas’ CCF government. Bea immediately abandoned her plans for nursing and

returned to the farm. With her oldest brother Charlie, they helped their Mom through that difficult time. At about this time, Bea met her

soul mate Walter Laycock, whom she married on October 13, 1947. They settled in Saskatoon where Walt attended U of S while Bea

supported them until their first child Dixie was born. These were the years that they both became ardent golfers, peddling their bikes, with

their bag over their shoulder, to the Idylewild Golf Course. They moved to Prince Albert and soon after to Shellbrook where their second

daughter Margo was born. Here Walt learned about watch making, and the jewelry trade. He and Bea purchased their first of many jewelry

stores and had one more baby girl, Gayla. During this time they spent most of their summers at their shack tent at Waskesiu Lake and

during the winter they enjoyed bonspeiling. Walt and Bea left Shellbrook in 1967 and moved to North Vancouver. From small prairie town

to big city by the sea, they bought a small cabin cruiser and continued to explore. They purchased their final jewelry store in Parksville,

B.C. in 1973. They sold this store to their daughter Margo and Rob Liddicoat in the early 90’s and headed south for winters in their

motorhome.

Bea was a gourmet cook and a gracious hostess; she approached life with a sense of adventure and a wee bit of Irish fun. For Bea, her roles

as daughter and sister, sweetheart and wife, homemaker, mother, grandmother and great grandmother were passionately pursued. She

always helped, always encouraged, always believed in her family. We do not feel that you are gone Rah Rah, just hand in hand with Dad

again.

On May 7, 2005, a memorial service was held at Knox United Church in Parksville, officiated by the Reverend Foster Freed, with Mr. Ron

Klusmeier as pianist. Solos were provided by grandchildren Shea and Esme Liddicoat, and daughter Gayla. Eulogies were presented by

Dixie, Gayla, Tasha (for Carl), and Rev. Freed (for Margo). A moving remembrance in image and music was prepared by Damian Graham.


An interment ceremony of Walter’s and Beatrice’s ashes immediately followed in the Knox Cemetery.

Her family wish to thank everyone at Trillium Lodge for the tender care during these final days.

Those wishing to remember Beatrice in a tangible way might consider doing so through a gift to the Canadian Cancer Society.



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