Skip to content

May 6, 1939 - October 3, 2024

In Loving Memory ~

Barbara Amelia Jean Beazley passed away peacefully with her family at her side on October 3rd, 2024, looking out over her treasured view of Shuswap Lake. To the end she kept her lovely smile and dry humour.

Barb was born third youngest of eleven children in the tiny outport village of Epworth, Newfoundland on May 6, 1939, and is survived by only three siblings: Joyce Jack, Dorothy (Don) Parks and Jim (Maxine) Beazley.

She also leaves behind her much-loved step-children: David Gummeson, Kirsten (Jeff) Dawson and Eric (Colleen) Gummeson and grandchildren Claire Gummeson, Callum Dawson, Nicole Dawson and Cait Dawson whom she loved dearly and who showed her the love she deserved in return. As well, she left so many nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, all of whom have wonderful memories of her.

Barb left Epworth as a teenager for work in St. John's, and later in New York City, Toronto and Vancouver. She travelled extensively in Europe and elsewhere in the world, but always returned to Newfoundland to visit her family.

In Vancouver 1987 she met and in 1991 married Verne Gummeson, the love of her life. Theirs was a partnership of rare and beautiful compatibility. They achieved their dream of building a lovely farm home on 12 acres outside Salmon Arm BC and moved in upon retirement in 1997. They were fulfilled by raising sheep, clearing land and farm-life in general. Those were the happiest years of Barb's life.

They continued to travel to many world destinations but also saw much that Canada offers. Because they loved the outdoors and nature, one of their favorite trips was canoe-camping on the Nation Lakes chain in northern BC. Verne loved Newfoundland and they went "home to the Rock" many times. They golfed and skied together and enjoyed the company of many dear friends.

Barb was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 2004 but with Verne's help was able to continue to snowshoe, hike, play bridge and travel until Verne's health became suspect as well. They then built a house in town, where they lived until Verne's death in 2019.

Barb then moved to a retirement community, Lakeside Manor, in Salmon Arm, into a suite that she and Verne had pre-chosen and where she could look out over Shuswap Lake through her big front windows and from her balcony. Barb was fortunate to have her sisters Joyce and Dorothy within walking distance.

Barb shared a wonderful character trait with Verne: Both of them were deeply interested in other people and experiences, and made you feel like the most interesting person in the world. Barb was compassionate, caring, practical, upbeat, wry, funny. In all the years she was afflicted with Parkinsons, that never changed. Even new acquaintances felt blessed by having known her, as was shown in her last weeks.

There will be no service, by request, since there was an outpouring of visits and calls from her loved ones and friends in advance of her passing, which she found very fulfilling.

She would wish us to thank her doctors, especially Dr.Takahashi and Dr. Hepburn, and all the other medical staff who helped her over time, and the Lakeside Manor staff and residents.



Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.