Beatrice “Bee” Elizabeth Dickens 1916 – 2010
Bee died in Glengarry Hospital, Victoria on Dec 8, 2010.
Since Bee was born December 23, 1916 in Nordegg, Alberta to Lil (Ellis) & Ben Dickens she would have been 94 years in 15 more days.
There were five children in the Dickens family – three died in infancy and her last sibling – her sister Dorothy died Dec 3, 2008.
Bee is survived by her cousin Bob (Ivene) Ellis of Richmond BC as well as other cousins in BC, SK, ON, England, Australia, & USA. Bee was a long time resident of Victoria. She attended Victoria West School, Oaklands School and Victoria High School. She retired in 1973 after working for the City of Victoria for 31 years – the last seven years as secretary to The City Park Commissioner. Bee worked for 38 years with the Victoria Civic Credit Union which was started in June of 1948 and she acted in the position of Secretary Treasurer until it closed in 1986. In 1984 she typed her last newsletter for the Victoria Horticultural Society – 11 years doing so with only missing one printing when she went to England in 1974. She could pronounce and spell correctly the names of plants, trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses.
After WW2 in 1946, Bee along with her sister Dot and some of their friends (10 to 12 members) formed the “Burton Ave Toy Group” and made toys, etc for children at Dr. Barnardo’s Home in England – most members were girlhood friends and lived near each other at the time in Oak Bay. They carried on with their group “The Toy Club” for many years – In 1987, the Burton Ave Toy Group, now reduced to seven active members, voted to send their 41st and last annual donation to Dr. Barnardo’s Homes for needy children in England. When they first started the Club, in the first three or four years they made upwards of a hundred stuffed toys but when the cost of shipping was so high they sent cash – as toys were once again available after the war. Their small donations were no longer able to buy sufficient English Pounds to make it worthwhile so then their small pittance went to one local Victoria charity, the name of which was pulled from a hat containing the personal choice of each member. About 1993 the Toy Club had about three picnics during the summer instead of their usual meetings in their homes, choosing a different Victoria Park every time. In 1995 the Toy Club Group was now reduced to six of the original members – the oldest was 81 and had known all of the members for 78 years – and had known Bee and her sister Dot for 68 years. This is such a long time for a very strong friendship to withstand the years. Finally the toy club was disbanded due to ill health of the remaining members and diminishing membership.
Bee had many interests – she enjoyed bike riding, camping and fishing in her early years, driving her car and visiting many places on Vancouver Island and visiting friends at Quesnel and her cousins in Richmond – a high light were the trips to England to visit family and see the sights. Bee never married or had children but she was very active with her four god-children and she and they have fond memories of their association over the years. She enjoyed Bridge, Mah-Jongg, Scrabble, crosswords and jigsaws. Bee was an excellent cook and baker and an avid and accomplished knitter and made many things for charity as well she did many items in needlepoint. Bee had a long and happy life until dementia and other medical issues took their toll. She moved to Glengarry Hospital Feb, 2007. Thank you to the staff there where Bee was for her last years. We want to acknowledge and express our gratitude especially to Janice Miller who spent many hours with Bee when we couldn’t be there and also to Maureen Bothwell for doing the weekends – they are special ladies. No funeral or service by request. Bee was cremated and her ashes will be interred at Hatley Memorial Gardens, Victoria. Condolences may be offered at www.mccallbros.com.
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