Beverly Anderson

Beverly, beloved sister, devoted aunt, fine friend and nursing academic lived her life with grace, optimism and good humour. She was born the first of six children to Bertha and Arni Anderson and throughout her life carried a deep love for family, her Icelandic heritage and the family home in Naicam, Saskatchewan.

Beverly’s nursing education began at the University of Saskatchewan (1959), followed by completion of her baccalaureate at McGill University (1972), Master of Science in Nursing at University of Texas (1979) and PhD in Nursing at University of Utah (1994). Her nursing practice took her to neurosurgical units from Saskatchewan to California and Michigan, followed by nursing practice with paediatric patients and later in a surgical intensive care unit. Upon her return to Canada in 1972, Beverly worked as a public health nurse with the Victoria Order of Nurses (VON) in Montreal. In Montreal, Beverly’s interest in nursing education and a strength-based approach to nursing flourished as she worked with the Family Practice Unit and began her teaching career at Montreal’s Dawson College. She taught at the University of British Columbia prior to her tenure at the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Calgary, from where she retired as Associate Professor in 2002.

Beverly contributed to the generation of nursing knowledge in important topics of family relations including maternal twin interaction, fathering of multiple births, and the strengths of single parent families. She co-founded the Women’s Health Initiative Group at the University of Calgary through which she conducted research, published and mentored graduate students. Her expertise in qualitative approaches to research was reflected in invitations to teach internationally and in her many conference presentations. Throughout her career, Beverly has offered her strengths based view, passion for social justice and warm engagement to colleagues and students from Naicam, Saskatchewan to Tampere, Finland and in every encounter between.

Following her retirement in 2002, Beverly pursued outdoor activities, intellectual challenges and her long held interest in her Icelandic ancestry. She was an accomplished downhill skier and an enthusiastic golfer. She served in executive positions with the Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club of Calgary from 2007-2011. Beverly’s joie de vivre emanated from her optimism and a quiet spirituality. Retirement afforded the opportunity to become more involved in Parkdale United Church in Calgary where she served as the Coordinator of the Healing Touch Ministry. As her own illness progressed, she benefited from the support and distance healing from this group and from the Healing Touch Team in Victoria.

In 2013, Beverly undertook an adventurous move to Victoria with her twin sister Arnette. Here they were welcomed by cousins, Eileen and Al, and together joined the Cordova Bay United Church and Plus 55 seniors’ group to engage in bridge, golf and fun. As always, Beverly held her family relationships in the foreground and so much enjoyed visits from her siblings, nieces and her much loved Mother.

Beverly is survived by her twin sister Arnette, brother Gary (Lois), sister Audrey Jestin (David), sister Maxine Howard, and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother and father, brother Gregory, brother-in-law Rod Howard, and nephew Arni.

A Celebration of Beverly’s Life will be held in Victoria at Cordova Bay United Church on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. and in Calgary at a later date.

Donations may be made to Victoria Hospice and Canadian Cancer Society.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

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