RODIN, HELEN GEORGIA (BEE)
(nee MacPherson)
October 8, 1916 - October 11, 2010
Bee Rodin was born in Revelstoke. Her parents were Dan and Stella MacPherson.
Bee was adventurous and she loved the outdoors. With friends, she swam in local lakes, hiked the local mountains in the summer and skied in the winter. She played basketball in school. Upon graduation she moved to Vancouver and enrolled in the St. Paul’s Hospital Nursing Program. When she graduated the world was engulfed in World War ll. Because Bee was too young to join the Canadian Military Nursing Corp she enlisted with the South African Military Nursing Services. This decision resulted in war-time travel to South Africa, and subsequently to war zone military field hospitals in Egypt (climbed the pyramids and swam in the Suez Canal), Sicily, and Italy. Her world tour then took her to England and back to Canada.
Upon military discharge, Bee enrolled at the University of British Columbia and completed a Bachelors Degree in Science (Honours). She married in 1951. Defying social mores she left her husband in 1960 and moved to Salmon Arm. She raised three children single-handily and despite limited financial means she ensured that her kids had educational and athletic opportunities.
Bee lived in Salmon Arm for fifty years. She worked first as a Lab Assistant and then as a Registered Nurse at Shuswap Lake General Hospital. She then became a BC Public Health Nurse and spent many years inoculating children, weighing babies, and assisting the ill and aged.
For many years, she lived at Blind Bay on Shuswap Lake. Her home was welcoming and it became a popular summer destination for her children, nephews, nieces, their families and friends. She then moved to Sorrento. With the help of support workers, she steadfastly maintained her independence long after she should have moved to a rest home.
Bee was predeceased by her sister Gene Harris and her son Charles Rodin. She leaves behind her brother Alan MacPherson, daughter Minka Rodin, son Dan Rodin and daughter-in-law Leah Robinson. Her grand-children and their spouses are: Marlon & Amber Kuzmick, Alexis & David Cleaves and Bryson Kuzmick. Great –grandchildren are: Piper Cleaves, Riley Cleaves and Conrad Kuzmick.
She will be sorely missed.
The family would like to thank the medical staff at Shuswap Lake General Hospital for their medical professionalism and their kindness.
A celebration of life service for Bee will be held on Saturday October 23, 2010 at 10:30 am from Bowers Funeral Home, Salmon Arm, BC.
Online condolences may be sent through Bee’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Bowers Funeral Service, Salmon Arm, BC