Obituary of Beulah Marjorie Isabella Mooney

Mooney, Beulah “Bea” Passed away on Friday, October 5, 2012 at Leisureworld Nursing Home in North Bay, she was in her 91st year. Bea Mooney, formerly Beulah Marjorie Isabella Major, was born on November 16, 1921 in Belfast, Ireland to William John Major and Elizabeth Smith (both originally from Canada). Bea received her elementary education in schools in Ireland, in small towns in Quebec and Ontario, and her secondary education in Powassan and North Bay. After graduating from Normal School (Teacher’s College) in 1940, she taught all grades in a rural, one-room school for two years, before moving to a graded school. She married Walter Raymond Mooney on July 12, l944 in Wesleyan Church in North Bay, Ontario. She was a teacher and principal of O’Brien Street School. In 1967 she moved to teach English and work as a counselor at Chippewa Secondary School. She was a graduate of Laurentian University and held a Specialist Certificate in counselling. After retiring in 1981, Bea took several courses in writing at Canadore College and became a founding member of the North Bay Writer’s Club. She was published in magazines in Canada and the USA. Always wanting to learn, she became interested in and took courses in Therapeutic Touch, one of the alternative modalities to medicine. She enjoyed using those skills for others, and earned her Practitioner’s Certification for the province of Ontario. Bea enjoyed being a grandmother, and most recently a great grandmother to Hailey Lyn. She is remembered for her story telling skills through The Robin, The Skunk and so many more based on factual information and life experiences. Bea was an active member of the Laurentian Wesleyan Church in North Bay, which her father founded. She taught Sunday School, played the piano and organ, gave people rides to church, tended the flower gardens, directed the Sounds of Joy and wrote many Christmas programs not only for her church, but for other North Bay churches and a church in New York. Survivors include daughter Mrs. Beverley Westfall and son-in-law Keith of Berlin, NY; Granddaughters Portia Westfall (Mark Baker) of Rochester, NY; Mrs. Peace Goyette (Christopher) of Cohoes, NY and Patience Westfall of West Dennis, MA; great granddaughter Hailey Lyn Goyette; her sisters Mrs. Beryl Nicolson of North Bay and Mrs. Elizabeth Hare (Ron) of Huntsville, ON; nieces Jill Cooper of Barrie ON, Liz Nicolson of North Bay and Jean McArthur of North Bay; as well as many other family members and friends. Bea was predeceased in 1996 by her loving husband Walter of 51 years, her sister Beverley Eva in 1934, her sister Joan Cooper in 1977 and sister Bertha Major in 1993, also a very dedicated friend June Kuehl in 2011. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 1:30 P.M. at the Laurentian Wesleyan Church at 521 McKay Ave in North Bay, Ontario officiated by Pastor Chris Lang. Funeral arrangements entrusted to MARTYN FUNERAL HOME. If desired, donations to the Laurentian Wesleyan Church Memorial Fund, Cystic Fibrosis or the charity of your choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy in lieu of flowers. Online condolences at www.martynfh.com.