September 9, 2021
With sadness, we must announce the passing of Bea Moxham on September 9, 2021. In peace, she left this life surrounded by her family and their love. We will miss her kind heart as a wife, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.
Bea was born in Fox Valley, Saskatchewan, but in 1945 her family, including six siblings, rode the train to BC where her father, George Zahn, accepted a job at Cominco in Trail.
After graduating from school and Business College in Trail, she met her future husband, George Moxham. She worked as a bookkeeper and later as a Tax Consultant. They lived in Trail, raising four children, but in 1971 moved to the new town of Elkford, BC where Bea ran the first grocery, post office and gas station until the town developed.
After returning to Trail, Bea and George built a home in Ootischenia (Castlegar) and kept chickens, bees, and a huge showcase garden of vegetables and flowers. Post retirement, they moved to Kelowna, BC where they've lived for 20 years. Her kindness followed her wherever she went. Bea's interests were many, however, family was her priority.
In addition to her excellent gardening skills, she was an adventurous and accomplished cook, crafted hand sewn clothes, and created many beautiful floral bouquets. She and George square danced (she sewed all the outfits), played bridge, hiked, hunted, fished, boated and camped—starting with a smelly canvas tent, and later an RV.
They also skied downhill and cross-country until warm winters in Arizona, USA were preferred. They travelled to multiple countries and enjoyed many wonderful cruises. All will remember Bea's joke telling and games at dinner parties or family gatherings. She never missed celebrating New Year's Eve parties with Dad. Turn on the music and she was ready to dance. Every birthday and Christmas was special because of her joy.
A woman of boundless energy—she touched so many with her intuitive ways. It was her gift. Bea's greatest achievement was raising 4 wonderful children that have inherited her many positive attributes of being kind and social, being strong and optimistic, really listening, and seeing the best in others, without judgment. Bea is survived by her husband George; children Karen Bissenden, Chris Moxham (Joyce), Kathleen Kandborg (Drew), and Clarice Bower (Brian); grandchildren Risa, Aidan, Adam (Tania), Gillian (Justin), Rachel (Greg), Andy (Hannah), Emily (Brad), Julia, and Christine; and great-grandchildren Desmond, Harrison, and Hugo. She is survived by her siblings Tony Zahn (Marlene) and Violet "Vi" Jackson.
She will be remembered by her in-laws Isabel, Doris, Agnes and Kevin, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and many lifelong friends from Kelowna, Trail and Castlegar.
She was predeceased by her parents Mary (née Kambeitz) and George Zahn; her siblings (spouses): Frank (Emma), Kay (Faust), Janna (George), and Diane; and nephew Calvin Brownlie.
Bea was well-loved by the many who will miss her. Special thanks to Dr. Darrell Hamm and all the staff in the Kalamalka ward at The Village at Mill Creek care home (Bea was telling them her jokes to the end).
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made in Bea's memory to the BC Lung Association, bc.lung.ca. There will be a Memorial Service, with reception to follow, on Saturday, September 18, 2021, AT 1 pm, at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. Due to Covid restrictions, if you plan to attend or want short comments read aloud at the service, please contact Chris Moxhamcgmproperties12@gmail.com or 250 309 4233.
You also may join online by Livestream on Saturday, September 18, 2021, AT 1 pm PDT.
A recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter. To view the Livestream/recording or send the family a personal condolence, please visit www.springfieldfuneralhome.com
Springfield Funeral Home