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| The Beachell family. Rosser, MB in 1925. L-R: Walter H., Mary M., Chester Ernest age 10. Chester was my Grandfather. |
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| Wedding of Chester E. Beachell and W. Margaret Dolena McCrea. 26 March 1941 L-R: Jack Beachell (1/2 brother), Chester Beachell, Margaret McCrea, Vera (Smith) Mayhew (Marg's neice.). Wedding took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba. |
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| At right is a photo taken circa 1939. L-R: W. Margaret D. McCrea (Daughter of William Ernest McCrea and Frances Dolena Smith). Chester Ernest Beachell. (Son of Walter H. Beachell and Mary M. A. Thompson) This photo was most likely taken at Walter's farm in Rosser, Manitoba. W. Margaret D. McCrea was my Grandmother. |
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| Christmas 1950 in Ottawa, Ontario. L-R: Standing: Alfred Hynes, Sharon G. Beachell (age 8), Mary M. Beachell. Back row seated: Margaret (McCrea) Beachell, Austin Hynes, Frances M.(Hynes) McCrea. Front row seated: Frances Dolena (Smith) McCrea, W. Denise Beachell (age 7), Gertrude Hynes. Front Row laying down: W.F. Archie McCrea. |
| Chester Beachell and Margaret McCrea met in early childhood, as their families were friends. Probably around 1923, the children were introduced at what may have been a garden party or church social. The McCreas lived in Winnipeg, and the Beachells on a farm in Rosser, Manitoba. By 1937, Ches and Marg were dating and remained an item. After their wedding in March 1941, they moved to Yorkton, SK, where Ches worked at CJGX FM. By early 1944 their two daughters were born. In 1949, the family moved to Ottawa, Ontario where Ches became Chief Engineer at CFRA Radio; later moving to Montreal with the National Film Board of Canada, in 1956. Marg was from a family of musicians and artists and was involved with children's activites like Red Pine Camp, Brownies and St. Johns Ambulance. She taught her children and grandchildren to draw, paint, sculpt, compose and play music. Ches retired from the NFB in 1980. They sold their home and spent the next nine years travelling between Texas and Alberta to summer and winter with their two daughters and families. On 23 June 1989, Marg passed away while at home with Denise's family. Ches continued to live with the family in Edmonton permanently, until his death on 21 December 2002. My daughter, and my brother's young son never knew their Great Grandma, and they have missed much as a result of that. But, they did know "Poppa" (Ches) and loved him dearly. They have Grandma Denise to pass down the memories and the good traits that run our family. They are a lucky pair to have their Grandmas near to them, to learn of the legacy left to them, and where they come from. To be able to speak of long dead relatives as if we knew them is a special privilege, and to feel the love for them is priceless. |
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