Cover photo for Beatrice Burgess's Obituary
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Beatrice Burgess

January 20, 1927 — September 12, 2023

Beatrice Burgess

On September 12th, 2023 at age 96, Beatrice Grace Burgess left us peacefully to join her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The eldest of Stanley & Grace McDowell’s four children, Beatrice was born in Montreal and lived in the McDowell/Burgess family home in Westmount until age 54 before relocating to Toronto.

At age 28, Beatrice married Norman Burgess, her loving husband of 68 years, and over the ensuing decade they were joined by John (Lori), Ruth (Tom), Marjorie (Don), Stephen (Melanie) and Philip (Mary). Apart from her Christian faith, Beatrice’s top priority was her family. Raising five children was Beatrice’s full-time job. There were day-to-day chores, preparing meals, getting kids off to school, laundry for a family of seven, yet teaching good table manners and proper English grammar were at the top of the priority list. The manners and grammar lessons were trying at the time but years later that knowledge was truly appreciated.

Beatrice looked forward to summer holidays that included an annual camping trip to visit family friends in Northern Ontario, followed by six weeks of Beatrice and the children at the beloved country home in Rockway Valley QC. She loved piling five kids into the car to go swimming, visit friends or go shopping. We have many cherished memories speeding down the country roads with Mom.

When Norman’s career took him to Toronto in 1981, Beatrice was ready for a new adventure. With family grown and leaving the nest, Beatrice’s focus changed to caring for Norman’s aging mother, Grandma Burgess, until her passing in 1999. In recent years enjoying 14 grandchildren has kept Beatrice & Norman busy. Beatrice was never far from her cell phone and ready to view the latest social media post from one of her children or grandchildren and relay the update to Norm.

We have been blessed to have had Beatrice/Mom/Nana with us in sound mind for 96 years and will cherish memories of her forever.

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Past Services

Visitation

Friday, September 15, 2023

6:00 - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)

Ward Funeral Home, "Weston Chapel"

2035 Weston Road, Toronto, ON M9N 1X7

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Service

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Starts at 10:30 am (Eastern time)

Ward Funeral Home, "Weston Chapel"

2035 Weston Road, Toronto, ON M9N 1X7



The family has provided the opportunity to view a Live Stream of the Funeral Service from the comfort of your own home. We are pleased to provide this complimentary service for those watching remotely. Please be aware this is not a professionally edited video and is happening in real time. You may experience network (internet) failures and/or local signal issues. A high definition recording of the funeral service becomes available after the service is completed. This is typically available within the same day. The recorded service remains on the website

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Reception

Ward Funeral Home, "Weston Chapel"

2035 Weston Road, Toronto, ON M9N 1X7

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Interment

Mount Pleasant Cemetery - Toronto

375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON M4T 2V8



A private family interment will take place.

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