Obituary of Bea Rhodes

Rhodes, Bea, a resident of Chatham. Bea Rhodes passed away peacefully at her home on Monday March 23, 2015 at the age of 91. Born in Sydney, N.S. daughter of the late George Herbert & Virtue Winnifred (Evans) Breen. Beloved wife of the late James (J.C.) Rhodes (2011). Dear mother of Leigh Rhodes (Deb), Chatham; Tim Rhodes (Darcie), Bowen Island, B.C.; Diane Rhodes, Chatham; Geoffrey Rhodes (Deb), Markham; Kirk Rhodes (Julie), Chatham; and Karelyn Stevens (Mike), Chatham. She will be missed by grandchildren Stephanie, Adam, Jocelyn, Jacob, Griffin, Carsen, Shelby, Avery & Stephanie; and great grandchildren Jackson, Taylor, Nicholas & Indianna. Sister of Clarice Thorne, Winnipeg; and the late Pinky Skinner, Evelyn Burke, Bert Breen, Raymond Breen, Lloyd Breen, Edna Crosby, and Mervin Breen. Bea met Jay in Sydney, NS. Almost 73 years ago he brought a beautiful young bride home to Chatham and they celebrated 68 years of marriage before his death. She raised 6 children - 19 years separated the oldest and the youngest - making each of them feel like her favourite with her unconditional love and unqualified support (even if not always warranted). Her love extended to her 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She was the real strength in the family - a strength imbued by her grace, calm, and caring. This caring extended into the community as a charter member of La Sertoma. Bea was a golfer, a curler, and a voracious reader; a book a day was not uncommon when she wasn’t entertaining guests at the cottage in Huntsville. We will miss her kindness, sweetness, and the Cape Bretonisms she held on to all her life. Friends will be received at the Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair St., Chatham on Thursday March 26, 2015 from 2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be conducted at the Funeral Home on Friday at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Margaret Trapnell officiating. Cremation to follow. Donations in memory of Bernice to Community Living Chatham-Kent or the VON Chatham-Kent. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhomc.com McKinlay Funeral Home 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham 519-351-2040 Bea Rhodes from McKinlay Funeral Homes Ltd. on Vimeo.