Beatrice Gauthier
Beatrice Gauthier, 84, passed away peacefully November 6, 2016 at Atikokan General Hospital Extended Care Wing.
Bea was born November 30, 1931, in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Gertrude and Leslie Moore. When Bea was just fifteen she left Winnipeg to find work in the booming iron mines of Atikokan, where she worked in Steep Rock Iron Mine’s camp kitchen. It was there she met her future husband, Horace Gauthier, a shovel operator, and they were married October 7, 1950.
Bea and Horace built their lives in Atikokan, raising three daughters and sharing a love of music, family, friendship, and community with all who knew them. After her marriage, Bea left the camp kitchens to stay home and raise her family for many years. She returned to work at the Hudson Bay Company department store, where she made lifelong friendships with her many coworkers.
Bea was an active member of the Catholic Church and the choir, where friends and family looked forward to her singing ‘O Holy Night’ annually at Midnight Mass. Her love of singing encouraged her to join the Northernaires where she spent decades entertaining and performing for the community with her beautiful voice. Bea was also an avid seamstress and made clothes and dolls for her children and grandchildren. She was also generous with her time and taught others how to sew. Bea’s other talents included being a wonderful baker, contributing to the Catholic Church bazaar, her love of animals (especially her dogs), and knitting and bunka. She was an active member of Stitch and Bitch for many years, incorporating her love of crafts with camaraderie and friendship.
Bea retired in the 1980s, giving her more time to spend with her children and four grandchildren. She loved preparing meals and baking for her family and spent her retirement years crafting and cooking for those she loved.
Bea was pre-deceased by her parents and her husband, Horace, as well as her brothers-in-law Ted Marlow, Paul Rak, Paul Gauthier, Jean Gauthier, and Jim Gauthier, sister-in-law Angele Gauthier and son-in-law Walter Zagrobelny. She is survived by her sisters Gertie Marlow and Peggy Rak, sister-in-law Mary Gauthier, daughter Leslie Zagrobelny, daughter Sandra (Mike) Gauthier-Poelman, and daughter Lorraine (Chris) Gauthier Stromberg. She will also be missed by her grandchildren Scott Zagrobelny, Alan Gauthier-Poelman, Carly (Darren) Skrenski, and Rory Stromberg, as well as great-grandchildren Page, Nadiya, and Milo Skrenski. Bea has also touched the lives of many others who will miss her.
In memoriam donations can be made to the Extended Care Wing of Atikokan General Hospital or charity of your choice.
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