Born August 22, 1932, in Vancouver, BC, Beverley passed away peacefully on October 15, 2024, at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC. Bev was predeceased by son Dan; parents Harold (Curly) and Olive Auchterlonie; brothers Fred Wilson and Hank Auchterlonie; sisters Noreen Wilson, Joan Borden and Jenny McCartney. She will be greatly missed by daughters Jane and Kate (Garth), grandson Aaron (Lisa) and great-grand daughter Zoey; daughter-in-law Gail; brother and sister-in-law Dave and Connie Auchterlonie; and sister-in-law Barb Auchterlonie along with many nieces and nephews and cherished friends.
Bev spent her childhood in Vancouver attending General Gordon Elementary School then Kitsilano High School. After the war, she moved with her parents and younger brother Dave to Pender Island to where her father had been raised on the ancestral family farm at Hope Bay.
Bev began working at the general store at Hope Bay where Mr. Corbett was the proprietor and Post Master. Bev’s cousin, Kay Bradley also worked there. They entertained each other with harmless high jinks which Bev enjoyed immensely. Thus began their lifelong friendship.
Corbett Store was hub for island life. With a sympathetic ear, Bev listened to the locals and their histories while taking orders for diverse goods such as long johns, kerosene, or leather boots. Her creativity inspired, her oral story telling talents were greatly appreciated by many for keeping alive some of the history of the people and events on the islands. Later in life her island inspired story, The Feather Pillows, was published in “Our Canada” magazine.
Bev met her future husband, John Scoones, at a dance at Hope Bay Community Hall. He’d been invited by his friend, Wally Bradley (Kay’s brother). According to Wally, John was so taken with Bev he missed his ride home that night to Galiano Island. The next day as Bev was carefully stacking soup cans in the front window at Corbett’s Store, John’s attempts to impress failed when he reached in and removed a can from the bottom row, making the whole display collapse in a heap.
Despite the unsteady start, Bev and John soon fell in love and were married in 1951. As John was working as a logger up and down the coast, the couple lived in the camp’s married quarters. If it was a small logging show, Bev was often chief cook. During this time they welcomed son Dan. A safer more stable home was needed as the next four years saw the arrival of daughters Jane and Kate. With financial help from John’s uncle, Paul Scoones from Galiano, Corbett House on Pender Island became the family’s home base. Bev’s parents lived close by and next door to them was Bev’s brother Hank and his young family.
For son Dan’s higher education, the family ultimately moved to Victoria. By the mid 80s, Bev had returned to Pender where she owned and operated Shear Delight Hair Salon. An avid golfer, her golfing pals marvelled at her consistently flawless swing. She proudly credited this skill to her family heritage, the Auchterlonies of St. Andrews, Scotland. Bev was a committed volunteer at the Pender Island Food Bank and was a Board member of the Pender Island Museum. After selling her salon to her good friend Peggy, Bev moved to Sidney, BC, where she continued her volunteerism with the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Auxiliary.
The family acknowledges with love and appreciation Bev’s niece, Terri who sent flowers, letters and family photos to Bev while she was in care. These brightened her day, and she enjoyed recalling old stories of life on Pender Island. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the medical team and staff at Glengarry Hospital for their expert care and loving kindness towards Bev during her stay.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring. Donations may be made to the Mustard Seed Food Bank, a charity Bev supported her whole life, or to a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Donna Kendrew
Dear Jane and Kate. We are sad to hear of your Mom’s passing. We will always remember her as a positive lady with a great sense of humour. She told the best stories with a twinkle in her eye!! We always enjoyed our time with her. Much love, Scott and Donna Kendrew