Beverley Anne Leaman (nee Purwin) died peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Pioneer Ridge, in Thunder Bay, on October 19, 2023, just ten days short of her 86th birthday.
Beverley was born in Dauphin, Manitoba on October 29, 1937. She was the first of three daughters born to Anna Sarah Purwin (nee McKenzie) and August Purwin. She was proud to be a "friendly Manitoban". The family moved to Winnipeg in 1944 and then to Ottawa in 1950. She graduated from Lisgar Collegiate in Ottawa.
Beverley trained as a Blood Bank technologist at the Ottawa Civic Hospital and remained on staff there until 1959, when she married Cst. James Leaman (RCMP Marine Division). The happy couple moved to Halifax, NS, where Bev worked at the Provincial Blood Lab. Following Jim's transfer to Kingston, Ontario in 1960, Bev was employed at the Kingston General Hospital in the Blood Bank. In 1961, Bev and Jim's son Bruce was born. A few months later, Bev returned to the Blood Bank as Technician-in-charge. In 1967, the Leamans moved to Port Arthur, Ontario, where Bev attended Lakehead Teachers' College.
Following Jim's death in 1973, Bev chose to remain in Thunder Bay. She taught at Shuniah Street Public School for 16 years, shaping the lives of many wonderful students. She was active in the Federation of Women Teachers of Ontario where she served as president of the local chapter and on several provincial committees. Even after Bev retired from teaching, she maintained friendships within the Lakehead Retired Teachers Association. Special friends and former colleagues were Elma Clein and Brenda Gillespie.
In 1992, she married Dr. Ernest Zimmermann at the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship. The ceremony was officiated by her son, Bruce, as Lay Chaplain. Beverley and Ernest were both long-time committed members of the New Democratic Party and attended local, provincial and national party meetings. While Ernest was a professor of History at Lakehead University, Bev accompanied him on his trips to Germany and Russia. Bev and Ernest both enjoyed travel and drove to Yukon to visit Ernest's children Stephen and Susan.
Beverley was lucky when Bruce married his wife, Eda, because not only did she gain a one-of-a-kind daughter-in-law but also welcomed into the family Eda's sister Silvia and brother John.
A vital part of Bev's life was her 56-year membership in the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship. Bev actively served on many committees and on the LUF board, including as president. She attended many Unitarian district, national and international conferences and served a term on the Canadian Unitarian Council board.
She leaves behind her son, Bruce; daughter-in-law, Eda; Eda's sister, Silvia Pedron and brother, John Pedron; sister, Patricia Groves (Phil); and their three sons, Grant (Janet), Jevon (Leslie) and Jason (Kristen), and their children; sister, Carol Montagnes (Dr. Jan Musil); Ernest's son, Stephen (Linda) and their children, Karl, Valerie and Max; Ernest's daughter, Susan (Peter) and their daughter Lily; sisters-in-law, Winona Leaman, Margaret Oakes, Audrey Leaman and Myrna Leaman; brother-in-law, Mitchell Leaman (Cathie) and their families; as well as, her McKenzie, Terin and Gillis cousins and their families.
Beverley was predeceased by her parents, Gus and Anne Purwin; husbands, James Leaman and Ernest Zimmermann; and sister-in-law, Betty Peters.
Beverley's family wishes to thank all those who have cared for her, especially during this past year: Dr.
Ella Goodman; Amanda, Cayley and the staff at The Walford; the medical teams at the Regional Hospital and St. Joseph's Care Group; Lynda Douglas and PSW Judy Nesbit. We are grateful for the many friends and neighbours who visited Beverley during her short time in long-term care. Special thanks to Carol Ann Brumpton. Our sincere gratitude to all the kind and supportive medical professionals and staff at Pioneer Ridge, who made Bev's time there less painful, and her family's time with her during her illness less stressful. To everyone at Pioneer, from our first tour to Bev's last day, you were caring, concerned and compassionate. We are grateful for all you did for Beverley and us.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 11:00 am at the VALHALLA INN – 1 Valhalla Inn Rd - with Rev. Stefan Jonasson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Beverley's memory to the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship, the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, Roots Community Food Centre or TVO would be gratefully appreciated.
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