Beryl Jean James

Beryl was born on March 28^th, 1937, in Portage la Prairie to Russell and Bertha Wishart; the second oldest of four children.  As a teenager, she was a CGIT member and enjoyed going to summer camps at Delta Beach. Beryl graduated from Portage Collegiate in 1955 and was accepted to nursing school at St. Boniface, in Winnipeg.  Her life plans changed however, and she married Vernon Leslie James on September 14, 1957.  They were blessed with three daughters, Catherine, Barbara, and Cynthia.  Beryl and Vern began married life in Portage, moving to Dauphin and Swan River, and finally settling in Flin Flon, Manitoba, where she resided until moving to Prince Albert to be closer to her family  in 2012.

Beryl lived in Flin Flon for many years raising her family and embracing the community. While in Flin Flon, she worked at Modern Foods, and the Public Library. Later in life, she took on the role of a beloved caregiver to 2 families, who hired her instantly and whose children adored her as “Gramma Beryl”. She loved decorating and dressing for the holidays.  She loved Avon products and became an Avon salesperson for her neighborhood and friends as well. While residing in Flin Flon, she was a member of the FFGH Auxiliary and enjoyed delivering good cheer and food to the elderly in the community. She was a valued member of the Northminster United Church there, as well as St. Luke’s prior to that. Upon her arrival to Prince Albert, she joined the Calvary United Church congregation. She was an avid curler and member of the Willow Park Curling Club in Flin Flon for many years and later the PA Curling Club in Prince Albert. Beryl was an active and respected member of AA in both Flin Flon and Prince Albert for 31 years. Her sobriety was a source of her strength and her quiet pride.  Her three girls, she always said, were her greatest accomplishment in life. They say, however, that they learned from the best, as she was surely grace and resilience personified.

Beryl loved to read, curl, and play cards, especially Bridge and Kaiser. She was an amazing baker, and her scuffles, cookies, buns and butter tarts were always in big demand at family gatherings and holidays. She loved to sing and recite poems and she loved to dance and listen to music.

Beryl was a kind, gentle and genuine lady and a friend to all she met, forging many lifelong friendships easily in every community she lived in.  Her beautiful soul led to her exemplary trait of “never complaining.” She will forever be remembered for her warm heart, her giggle and her infectious and welcoming smile. She was a loving mother, sister, daughter, and friend. A precious gift to all who knew her.

Beryl is survived by her three loving daughters, Catherine (Darren Blazic), Barbara (Gordie Broda) and Cynthia (Woody Stelnicki); seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; her sister, Gail (Robert McQuarrie); sister-in-laws, Georgia Wishart, and Patricia (Allen Belinski); and brother-in-law, James McIntosh; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Vernon in 1983; her parents, Russell and Bertha; her in-laws, Bella Dawson and Roy James; her sister, Gwendolyn and husband, Beverly; her brother, Douglas; sister-in-law, Marjorie; and her nephew, Timothy.

She was our sunshine, our joy, and our rock. Rest in Peace Mom. Heaven’s gates have welcomed you, and though all our hearts are heavy, we know you are where you need to be and that love lasts forever.

We would like to thank Dr Nigel Painter, Dr Alanna Surkan, the Good Shepard Villa Staff and Brynn Ursu for their care and kindness as well as all who visited, called, and supported mom during her final journey.

A Celebration of Beryl’s Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, June 30, 2023, at Calvary United Church, 114 25 Street East, Prince Albert, SK.  For those unable to attend the service, a link to the recording is provided here https://youtu.be/I7Jfo2zQt5k  A private interment will take place in Portage la Prairie, MB, at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Beryl’s name to the Calvary United Church in Prince Albert or the Canadian Cancer Society.    Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Marianne Turcotte & Tracy-Lynn Lenchuk, Funeral Directors, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322