Agnes Beatrice Sadie Burns was born on December 31, 1919 to Agnes and Charles Burns. Unfortunately, both parents passed away when Bea was an infant, leaving her upbringing to her maternal grandmother Sarah Murphy (Granny). This family grew when her grandmother remarried George Laing which added three cousins to her life, George, Ian and Hamish Laing. They, along with her best friend Peggy, were her childhood playmates. As a child Bea loved to play ball and was known for her pitching ability. She loved to ride her bicycle and only rode a horse when the weather dictated. Bea grew up in the Rosewood district north east of Galahad, taking her schooling at Rosewood and Myrna schools.
Bea married Charles George Allan of Alliance in 1941. They were blessed with three sons, Edward, Gordon and Kenneth. They lived and worked on the family farm northwest of Alliance. Bea was an active farm wife, raising chickens, turkeys and pigs. Charlie died in June 1951 but Bea and her sons continued to live on the farm until the fall of 1954. At this time, the family and Granny Laing moved into the town of Alliance after purchasing the Shepard house. Granny became the homemaker and Bea worked in town, first as a telephone operator and then as a teller with the Bank of Montreal.
Bea’s life changed again when she married Arthur RB Swan in March 1957. They blended their families of Eddie, Gordie and Kenny along with Arb’s daughter, JoAnne. This later became a “yours, mine and ours” family when Catherine was born. In 1961 the family moved onto Arb’s farm northeast of Bulwark. Two more children were born, Jacqueline followed by Carol Ann. Their family was now complete.
Bea became active in the Brownfield community attending curling events and taking ceramics. Bea always loved to travel, reaching destinations in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. The highlight was her trip to Scotland and England, connecting with relatives with whom she kept in touch for many years.
Bea and Arb moved off the farm and into Coronation in 1990. They resided in the Lindsay Rae apartments until Arb passed away in October 2000. Bea continued living there for a while and then moved to the Windsor Manor for a couple of more years. At this time, failing health forced her to make a move to the Lodge in Consort where she happily lived until July 2012. The Long Term Care Unit at the Consort Hospital became her final home where she peacefully passed away on December 4, 2012.
Family was the most important thing in Bea’s life. Perhaps because she was an only child, she was delighted to be blessed with six children of her own as well as a step-daughter. Life became richer with the addition of 20 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Bea was pre-deceased by her parents, Agnes and Charles Burns; husband, Charlie Allan; son-in-law, Frank Scott; grandson, baby boy Gilbertson; son, Kenny Allan; husband Arb Swan; granddaughter Shawna Colquhoun; son-in-law, Bob Lindmark; and son, Gordie Allan.
Bea’s Family
Eddie (Elaine) Allan, Sarah Lynn (Alain) Isabelle – Elizabeth, Michael (Sherlyn) Allan – Peyton, Cooper, Gracie, Gordie (deceased) Allan, Richard (Cheryl) Allan – Waylon, Haley, Brian (Lisa) Allan – Alyssa, Kaelyn, Charlie Allan – Taylor, Kenny (deceased) Allan (Diana), Scott (Silvia) Allan – Alessia, Katia, Brent (Paul Kidd) Allan, Steven (Amy Sparks) Allan – Hannah, Aiden, Emmett, Cathie (Terry) Gilbertson, Vanessa Gilbertson (Jace Schmidt) – Isadora Bea, Douglas Gilbertson, Jackie (Loren) Rodvang, Kristin Rodvang, Leah Rodvang, Evan Rodvang, Carol (Zane) Radefeldt, Emma Radefeldt, Becky Radefeldt, Dean Radefeldt, JoAnne Lindmark (Bob- deceased), David Scott – Perry, Fern (Steve) Payzant – Adam (Amanda Scott) – Jaelyn, Michelle, Kimberley, Shawna (deceased) (Brad) Colquhoun – Cathy, Christine, Shaye (Ted) Cousins Darcy Lindmark – Colby and Cindy (Doug) Radford
A celebration of Bea’s life was held on Monday, December 10, 2012 at 2 p.n. at the Trinity United Church, Coronation, Alberta, with Reverend Sue Hertell officiating. Linda Kneeland played for the congregational hymns, “Joyful, Joyful We Adore You” and “How Great Thou Art”. The eulogy and fond memories were shared by Douglas Gilbertson and Sarah Lynn Isabelle. Active pallbearers were Michael Allan, Brian Allan, David Scott, Scott Allan, Charlie Allan, Steven Allan, Richard Allan and Douglas Gilbertson. The family interment was at 11 a.m. at the Bulwark Cemetery. Lunch and fellowship was held in the Lower Hall of the church which was prepared and served by The Sunshine Club. Memorial donations may be made in Bea’s honour to the The Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Road, N.E., Calgary, Alberta, T2E 9Z9 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. You may send your condolences by email to corofuneralhome@xplornet.com
Heather Caseley of Coronation Funeral Home entrusted with the funeral arrangements. 1-888-578-2928. “Knowledge, Experience And Professionalism With A Personal Touch”
