UPSHAW, Beverly Anne

UPSHAW, Beverly Anne

On Monday December 11, 2017, Beverley Anne Upshaw (née Haddon) of Strathmore passed away peacefully at the Strathmore Hospital at the age of 78 surrounded by her children. Bev was pre-deceased by her husband H. Dean Upshaw (December 2013). She is survived by her son Christopher Noble, daughter Kerry Noble, step-daughter Shannon Collens, grandchildren Mark Zanewick, Brittany Noble, Matthew Noble, step-grandchildren Bobby Upshaw, Samantha Upshaw, Morgan Collens, Madison Collens, great grandchildren Kelsey Upshaw & Hayden Upshaw, and brother Ronnie Haddon (Lennoxville, Quebec).
Bev came to Strathmore in September of 1980 from Lennoxville, Quebec to begin a new chapter of her life out west with her children Chris and Kerry. Bev was a strong and independent woman willing to take risks to support those that she loved. She immediately gained employment with the Wheatland School Division and taught at Westmount School, Samuel Crowther Junior High, and retired as Principal at Carseland School. After retirement, Bev remained an enthusiastic substitute teacher who was regularly called upon to fill in as her peers knew that she would make the students work. Bev demonstrated her strength and conviction in so many areas of life – she lived by her own standard and helped bring the best out in others through this. She most recently showed this courage during her battle with dementia in recent years, and was always able to find her own ways to meet her challenges head on as well as breaking through the confines of dementia and communicate.
A firm, fair, and fun teacher, Bev touched the lives of many students throughout her years of teaching and from her enthusiastic role in the community. Bev volunteered each year at the Strathmore Heritage Days, and loved interacting and visiting with all people. Bev also helped anyone in need and shared her personal struggles to help motivate people to overcome theirs so they weren’t alone. Many may not know today, but Bev pioneered the “Eastern Canada Trip” where Strathmore students visit Quebec and Ontario, which still takes place every year.
Although transplanted from Eastern Canada, Bev truly felt home in Strathmore and loved her community. Bev will be dearly missed – but fondly remembered – by all of the teaching family, friends, and loved ones in her life.
A celebration of Bev’s life will take place on Friday December 15, 2017 at Strathmore Alliance Church (325 – 1 ave, Strathmore, AB.) at 10:00 a.m.
If you would like to make a donation in Bev’s name, they are welcome to be donated directly to the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Any flowers that are received will be shared to brighten people’s day in the community. Thank you to the staff of Sagewood and the Strathmore Hospital for the care that they provided Bev. To send condolences, please visit Bev’s obituary at www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca