Obituary of Bertha Anderson

ANDERSON-Bertha (Bea) Louise nee McLeod. November 19, 1915 December 3, 2005. Gracious and independent, as she lived, Bea's artistic spirit was released to paint the sunsets in the sky. Born in Regina and baptized at Holy Rosary Cathedral, Bea spent her school years at Sacred Heart School excelling in art, choir and drama. Her artistic gift was encouraged by her teacher, Sister Magellan, recognized by the prizes she won and honoured by an introduction as artist of the school to Bishop O. E. Mathieu. Known to her family as Busy Bea, she was driven by an inner energy and a desire for perfection. Thus the realistic details in her paintings portraits, wildlife, flowers and landscapes. Her adventurous nature inspired her to experiment with mediums and techniques. Bea met Ed Anderson at Scott Collegiate. They courted while she was a sales representative at Picardy's Candy and Pastry and married on October 1, 1938. During World War II, Ed joined the Royal Canadian Air Force leaving Bea and Elaine alone. Bea's independence, creativity and resourcefulness were their saving graces. During the 1950s and `60s, Bea developed a career with Avon Canada Inc. achieving sales awards in Regina and a place in the Canadian President's Club. In 1979, Bea was one of the founding members of the Regina North Artists' Guild and in 1996 received a Regina City North Zone Board award of merit for community service. Bea was a dedicated mother to her only child Elaine Adam (Edwin Somers), a loving grandmother to Michael Adam and Darci Adam (Ian Grant) and a proud great grandmother to Indigo Alexa Skye Adam Grant the delight of Bea's soul. Remembering Bea are her younger sister Evelyn Varro (Alex) of Calgary, sister-inlaw Marcine Anderson of Saskatoon, cousins Thelma Barber and Jack McNiven (Patricia) and longtime friends Ruth and Vince Morrison of Regina. Many nieces and nephews will remember her for her painting. Although she did not meet them, she leaves four Somers step grandchildren: Lea Kellett (John), Sheryl (Brian Shack), Ian (Joan) and Mark, and three step greatgrandchildren: Lauren, Hayley and Michael Kellett. She was predeceased by her devoted husband Edwin Walter Anderson (1913-1989), four siblings: Dorothy Pearl Grant (1914-1998), James Bliss (1917-1989), Jack Clarence (1918-1939) and William Francis (1920-1993), as well as her parents Adeline Louise McLeod nee Everett (1891-1986) and James Bliss McLeod (1888-1971). Bea's legacy of art is left in homes, schools, hospitals and businesses in Canada and abroad. A celebration of her life and art will be held at the MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina on December 28th at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MacKenzie Art Gallery, 3475 Albert Street, Regina, SK, S4S 6X6.