Anna Marie Elizabeth Beveridge (née Seigo) passed peacefully in her sleep on 12th of November 2020 in New Westminster, BC, aged 81. She was surrounded by family when she passed. She is survived by her three children, Douglas, Lynda, and Steven, daughter-in-law Candace, and grandchildren Oliver and Emily. She leaves behind her sister Margaret, and sisters-in-law Lillian, Gail, and Joan, and brother-in-law Andy, as well as many nieces, nephews, their spouses and children. Anna was predeceased by Harry, her husband of 57 years, in 2018.
Born in Fife Lake Saskatchewan, Anna moved to BC as a youth with her family and settled in Haney. In her early 20s, she met Harry, an RCMP constable, and they began their married lives together in 1961. Their lives took them to many small communities in BC where Anna worked in a variety of municipal and provincial government positions including court recorder, city administrator executive assistant, and senior administrative roles for government ministries. She was always active in her community, volunteering her time and expertise in various clubs and committees. Recently, her service to mental health in BC was recognized by senior medical staff who noted that Anna’s commitment to supporting and advocating for anxiety disorders in BC helped to pave the way for Anxiety BC to grow into a national organization. Anna helped many families over several years by manning the phones, offering outreach, and counselling support to individuals struggling with anxiety disorders, and their families. Her true vocation was found later in life as an Ordained Spiritualist Minister and she gave much of her time over the last two decades of her life in service of her church community as a Reverend enjoying the fellowship, as well as the continued learning and growth that came through life-long curiosity for knowledge, and through her connection to others, to spirit, and her sense of purpose.
The touchstone of a large and diverse family, Anna has been central in the lives of many people including several ‘adopted’ into our family members. Her door was always open to others, and she loved nothing more than to provide a listening ear and full fridge to anyone who needed it. A lover of animals, and dogs in particular, Anna and her husband Harry adopted several older dogs during the past seven years providing a loving home to these special dogs during the last years of their lives. This gift of giving was core to Anna’s being and she will be remembered for her loving and generous spirit.
Waiting in spirit for her to join them is her husband Harry; mother Annie, and father Peter Seigo; brothers Len, Alex, Joseph, John, Gerry, and sister Effie Harms. Her brothers-in-law, Jimmy, Cap, and Art predeceased her as did her sisters-in-law Marie, Grace, and Kay, as well as nephews, Peter, David, Michael, and Raymond, and niece Elaine.
Anna will be missed by many for her loving heart, her ‘Muttley’ laugh, her sense of humour, and generous nature. Her family would like to thank all those who offered loving thoughts and prayers to her over the last several months as well as those who took time to reach out and visit her—either in person or virtually during these challenging times.
We hope to have a Celebration of Life service in December when it is possible for family to gather together. The service will also be live streamed for church members, friends, and those family members who wish to participate from their own homes. Please reach out via the Universal Brotherhood Spiritualist Church or through family members for details. Kearney Funeral Services in New Westminster will be organizing the service. https://kearneyfs.com/
In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting people with Anxiety Disorders through a donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association, British Columbia Division: https://donate.cmha.bc.ca/covid1
Here is the link to view Mrs. Anna Marie BEVERIDGE's service: