With profound sadness our family announces that Edith passed away peacefully at Selkirk Place in Victoria on December 16, 2009. Edith was born on April 16, 1928 in Victoria to Helen and Walter Beutelspacher, and attended Sir James Douglas Elementary and Victoria High School where she graduated in 1945 with classmates who remained enduring friends. After initiating a lifelong interest in music and piano, she began her early career with the Bapco Paint Company and as a dental assistant in Victoria. She married Howard Bruce Knapp (d. 2001) on August 24, 1951 and they settled in New Westminster, BC. Edith was a devoted wife to Howard and mother to her four sons (Bruce, Paul, Peter and Steven) and was active in her community and church. The family moved back to Victoria in 1963 and she became a member of the First United Church choir, the 1st Garry Oak Cub Scouts, the Victoria Choral Society and in her later years as a member of Probus. After helping our family start Victoria Medical Supplies in 1974, she began her later career with Eatons in the Facility Management Department and then for many years as Executive Assistant to the Operations Manager for the Downtown Victoria store, which she valued immensely.. She retired from Eatons in 1993 to enjoy several wonderful holiday trips to Europe and Asia, as well as across Canada and the US with Howard at the motorhome’s wheel. Edith is survived by her four sons and their families: Bruce and his sons Keane and Hugh of Vancouver; Paul and his wife Sara and daughters Kate, Rachel, and Hillary of North Vancouver; Peter and his wife Sharon and daughter Hayley and son Trevor of Ocean Park; and Steven and his wife Linda and daughters Andrea, Kimberly and Jennifer of North Saanich; and by her brother Harry Beutel of Irvine, California, and his sons Curt, Brett and Marc. The family wishes to thank the staff of Selkirk Place for their kind and personal care of our mother.
A private family burial service is planned along with a public service and memorial gathering at McCall’s Funeral Home on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 1pm.
15 Responses
To the Knapp and Beutel families. Sorry to read of Ediths passing . She was a wonderful lady and will be deeply missed by all who were privileged to have known her. you are all in our thoughs as you move through this time of sadness
Norm and Carol Smith
We send our sympathy to all of Edith’s family. Taylor and I came
to know you through Edith and know how proud she was of you.
We were privileged to meet Edith seven years ago, and for four
summers we drove her to Willows Beach on Thursday mornings to join
the Summer Strollers from First Metropolitan United Church. We
walked with her along the esplanade, and enjoyed coffee at the Kiwani’s Tearoom. Edith rarely missed these walks. We
visited her periodically this past two years when she was not
able to come out to the walks. Edith became a special friend in
our lives. We loved hearing the stories of her life and her sense of
humour. Her courage and grace as she faced her health and life
challenges will always be remembered. We are thankful to have
known her.
To Bruce, Paul, Peter, Steve and Harry:
You know our thoughts and sympathies go out to you and yours.
We start out with lots of dreams and few memories, but now, at our age, there are few dreams left but loads of good memories… Edith and Howard were special friends and they won’t be forgotten.
I found it very strange, when I went to visit Kaye last week, although she has few recolections of anything or anybody, out of the blue she said “I had a wonderful walk on the shore with Edith this morning”. This was before I’d heard of Edith’s passing. I haven’t said anything to Kaye.
Our love and thoughts go out to all of you.
Peter, Kaye, Terri and Mark
To Steve, Linda & all the Knapp family;
Our sincere condolences on the loss of your mother.
From Chris & Linda Wille
I have so many happy memories of special times spent with Edith. She faced her challenges with grace and dignity which was so typical of her.
Her children, their partners and grandchildren were so important to her. and so well loved. She was so proud of each of you. My sympathy goes out to each one of you.
Was she not an amazing person in the way she adapted to the changes in her life.
I will remember her as a dear friend.
I extend my sympathy and understanding to each of you.
Sincerely , Shirley Child
It is with great sympathy that we have read the obituary of Edith Knapp We say hello to the boys and their Familes.We have known both Howard and Edith for many, many years. God Bless.
Please accept my sincere condolences upon the death of Edith. She was definitely a special person. I was a close friend of brother Harry years ago. Her parents were also wonderful people.
It was a great privilege to have worked closely with Edith…..who was
always a very positive and helpful person,as well as being very smart.
One of the most mature and sensible people I have ever met.
The fortitude and strength of character she demonstrated during the
extraordinarily difficult health challenges that were visited upon her
would have defeated a lesser person.
As I said at her retirement party……”Take her for all in all,we shall not
look upon her like again”
Kindest thoughts from an old school friend
Bruce + Family:
God looked around his garden
And found an empty space;
He then looked down upon this earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest;
God’s garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering,
He knew you were in pain
He knew you might never
Get well upn this earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb,
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, ” Peace be thine”.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you never went alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home