Elma Bernice "Bea" Coates of Brandon passed away in the city on Saturday, June 24, 2000. Bea was born March 26, 1920 on a farm in Jansen, Saskatchewan. After completing high school she moved to Saskatoon where she met Bert. They were married in 1940. The newlyweds moved to Winnipeg as Bert was stationed there with the Airforce. They returned to Saskatoon at the end of the war. Bert's career took them to Penticton, BC where they were blessed with the arrival of twins, Beverly and Wayne in 1956. The family moved to Edmonton, Saskatoon and then to Brandon in 1963. In 1974, Bea and Bert transferred to Winnipeg. Bea returned to Brandon in 1980 following the death of her beloved husband Bert. Bea worked in retail stores in Winnipeg and Saskatoon until the arrival of Bev and Wayne. Once the children became teenagers, Bea returned to work. She initially worked at Kresge's and then became a long-time Safeway employee both in Winnipeg and Brandon in the Bakeshop. Bea was known to many in Brandon through various organizations and clubs she belonged to. Always one to help whoever she could, Bea drove for Meals on Wheels and Seniors for Seniors, and volunteered for many years at the Nearly New Shop. Bea attended Central United Church and belonged to the UCW. She was always on the go, golfing with the Glen Lea Ladies Niners, 5 and 10 pin bowling, playing cards at the Legion, Sokol and Southend New Horizons. Bea was a key member of the Walk the Mall Club. Bea represented Brandon at International Bowling tournaments in Florida, North Dakota, Iowa and Reno. She travelled recently to Swan River for the Westman Games playing Crib. Bea travelled extensively and loved her bus jaunts whatever the destination. Her children and grandchildren were the source of many hours of happiness. Grandma Bea enthusiatically attended all their various activities, just as she rarely missed an opportunity to follow Wayne and Bev through their activities while growing up. She loved to be with people and had many friends with whom she spent many happy hours. If you did happen to catch her at home she would probably be reading or playing with her constant companion, dog Chauncy. Recently she was thrilled to be able to spend some time with 2 great grandchildren. Bea's spirit and the schedule she kept were to be envied by people half her age. Nothing slowed her down. Bea is survived by her daughter Bev (Bruce) McCallum grandchildren: Darren (Keri) McCallum, Tracy (Brett) Mitchell great grandchildren Cassie and Chase McCallum; son Wayne (Lorrie) Coates and granddaughter Holly Coates. A brother Hilbert Large, a sister-in-law Margaret (Peggy) Wilkinson and Brothers-in-law Fred and Bruce Coates and their families, as well as many neices and nephews also survive. She was predeceased by her husband Herbert A. "Bert" Coates and sister Joy Schultz. A time of visitation for friends will be held at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North, on Tuesday (tonight), June 27, 2000 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. The Ceremony to Celebrate Bea's Life will be held at Memories Chapel on Wednesday, June 27, 2000 at 2:00 pm. The Rev. Gordon Stevenson of Central United Church will officiate. A private service of interment will follow in the Brandon Cemetery. Friends may make a donation in memory of Bea to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 203-42 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, R7A 2B2 or to a charity of choice. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.