We Remember

MOXHAM, Ethel Reda Beatrice “Bea” (née Zahn)

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 handsewn 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.

There will be a Memorial Service, with reception to follow, on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021, AT 1:00 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 Moxham cgmproperties12@gmail.com or 250 309 4233. You also may join online by Livestream on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021, AT 1:00 PM PDT. A recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

LIVESTREAM:

Service
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021, AT 1:00 PM

Location
Springfield Funeral Home

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BC Lung Association Link: bc.lung.ca

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for MOXHAM, Ethel Reda Beatrice “Bea” (née Zahn) is scheduled for SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021, AT 1:00 PM. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

Springfield Funeral Home

2020 Springfield Road Kelowna BC

Phone:


Special Requests:

None.


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Condolences

  • Carol, Corey, Tara, and Logan Zahn says:

    We all have such fond memories of time spent with Auntie Bea. She had the gift of making each person feel as though she had all the time in the world for them, in addition to making us always feel very welcome. She will be missed by all of us. Sending lots of love.

  • Noel and Maureen Winters says:

    We have many happy memories of Bea, A lovely lady. Sorry for your loss

  • BETTE MINTY says:

    MAY YOU ALL FIND COMFORT IN ONE ANOTHER AND REMEMBER THE WONDERFUL TIMES YOU HAVE LOVED AND SHARED.

  • Danny Zahn says:

    Our condolences to George, Karen, Chris, Kathleen, and Clarice. We were huge fans of our aunt Bea and thought the world of her. She was a great role model for us all in terms of living life to its fullest and always being kind and welcoming to everyone.

  • Nello and Sheridan Angerilli says:

    We have been deeply saddened by Aunt Bea’s passing. She was an amazing person that lived, along with Uncle George and the family, a remarkable life. I have been privileged to know her and to have enjoyed time with her and the family back in Trail. When we last shared a meal in their Okanagan setting, we were amazed by the ongoing sharpness of her wit and her genuine concern for the well being of others. We will miss her. Our condolences to Uncle George and “the kids” who reflect so well the exceptional qualities that Aunt Bea demonstrated in her life.

  • donna halpin says:

    Kathleen: so very sorry to hear of your moms’ passing My deepest sympathy to you and your family!

  • Gord & Donna-Lee McLaren says:

    Condolences to George and family. We met Bea and George when they lived in Sandalwood. Both were very active in this community. Bea was a beautiful person, inside and out. There will be a special place in heaven for her.

  • Janet Kennedy says:

    My sincere condolences to her family.

  • Connie Rimmer says:

    Bea was such a beautiful lady, inside and out. George & Bea were such good friends of Mom & Dad, I’m sure they welcomed her to heaven with lots of hugs. George, may the promise of heaven and all the great memories of Bea bring you comfort and peace. God Bless.

  • George Voros says:

    We have spent very pleasant times together with Bea and George .,and will miss her truly a wonderful person. Our prayers are with you ,Love from Theresa George and grandchildren Lauren and Tristan Voros

  • Larry Cecconi says:

    So sorry for your loss . my prayers are with you .

  • Lorna Kurio (Matz) says:

    George and family, our condolences to you all. Bea was my dad’s cousin (John Matz). George and Bea came many times to the farm at Burdett, and then later to see Mom and Dad (John and Florence) in Taber. All of us remember Bea and George visiting and the wonderful times they would have. I went back with them one time when I was about 14 and spent a week there as Kathleen and I are the same age. That was a pretty big trip for me and I think the first time I went to BC. I visited them again in 1981 when I was travelling through with a girlfriend. They hosted us, and took us out on the lake for the day. Bea and George had a real knack for making you feel welcome.
    I’ve attached one of the slides from the slideshow for my Dad’s furneral that highlights the trip they took one time to Yuma. While we haven’t seen Bea (and George) for many years, they are part of the wonderful memories we have of our parents and the family get togethers over the years. Bea spent time talking to everyone, asking questions and made us all feel special. My husband and I, and all of my siblings have very fond memories of her, and it has been really nice to think of them tonight as I write this note.
    Best regards, Lorna Kurio

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