Bessie Margaret McKie Beatty died peacefully at her residence in

Peterborough, March 8, 2012 exactly two years after the death of her sadly missed husband of almost 50 years, Jack. Born in 1916 to Scottish immigrants, she grew up in Toronto with her widowed mother and three younger brothers, Alex, Chuck and George. Although she passed all her exams, Bessie’s responsibilities at home, meant she missed too many school days to get a school leaving certificate. Unable to go to high school, she took work that was available, moving from factories to office. Being bright, curious and ambitious, she learned on the job moving from switchboard to bookkeeping, eventually acting as the CFO for Downsview Woodworking. She loved music and dancing, was a wicked mimic, sang in church choirs, and founded the Junior Choir at Wilson Heights United Church. There she met and married Jack. Together, they built and renovated houses, travelled, entertained, cooked and ate good food, and retired to Seguin Township and Venice Florida. She made many friends at work and because of her warmth and generosity kept them for life. Her moving to Peterborough, after Jack's death, re-knit closer ties with George, her last surviving brother, and his wife Joan. From her first marriage she had one daughter, Heather Jon Maroney with whom she remained close to the end. She also had a special relationship with her son-in-law Andrew Wernick, and her McKie nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. She will also be fondly remembered by her many friends and extended family. A memorial service will be held at Baker’s Hill banquet Hall, 555 Parkhill Road, Peterborough on Saturday, May 26, 2012 between 2 and 5 p.m. If desired condolences to the family and directions to the service can be found at www.CommunityAlternative.ca or by calling 705-742-1875