April 6, 1930 - February 7, 2021
Beth McLean nee Betty Barrowclough passed away to be with Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior on February 7, 2021 at the age of 90.
Beth was born April 6th, 1930 in Burnley, North West Lancashire, England. She was the second and last child of Mary and Robert Barrowclough. When Beth was 4 years old, she and her sister Una were sent to a private school in Ryle, England on the Welsh Coast. Beth was always considered a very pretty child and she flourished in the environment among other children and with the attention of the teachers. Towards the end of the second world war the two girls returned to their mother in Burnley, Lancashire. Beth worked in a factory sewing parachutes for the war effort. Her sister enrolled as an ambulance driver in the army.
Beth married at 18 years of age and had her first son Martin Hindle. Beth re-married and had three more children, Nigel Miller, born in 1957, Roger Miller born in 1960 and a daughter Ruth Miller born in 1962. Beth emigrated to Canada in 1976 to start a new life, leaving a grown-up family in Europe whom she loved. The 4 grown up children loved her very much and were devoted to Beth and although disappointed by her decision they supported Beth’s desire to emigrate to Canada. Beth joined her parents who also had emigrated to Canada. In Canada, Beth found the good life that she was searching for. Beth worked in apartment care-taking and had formed many good relationships, one of these relationships was with Lloyd McLean. Lloyd and Beth were married on August 10th, 1990 and they enjoyed a very full and active social life. They were members of the Royal Elks Club and were out often having good fun, dancing and participating in varied community social functions. Beth greatly enjoyed dancing and entertaining and was known for her smile. To her many friends Beth was nicknamed “the smiler”. At their retirement, the couple moved from Victoria to the house that they built in Parksville, BC. Beth was an excellent seamstress and took great pleasure and pride in making rugs, curtains, cushions and quilts to embellish their new home and travel trailer. Beth's needle point showed her dedication to detail and she did many works of finely crafted pictures. They travelled extensively throughout Canada and the United States and on one trip to visit friends in Olds, they decided to move to Alberta, picking Olds to be their new home. They also spent time in Arizona and Utah during the winters and enjoyed life as snowbirds, escaping the Canadian winters.
Beth is survived by her 2 sons, Roger Miller and partner Emma and Nigel Miller living in England and daughter Ruth Miller and partner Andy residing in France. She is also survived by grandsons, Nik Miller and Leif Miller residing in England and Mathieu Dion and wife Aurelie and granddaughter Alice Hargreaves living in France. Beth was blessed with a great-granddaughter, Helena Aurelie Rose Dion born on September 3rd, 2020 to Mathieu and Aurelie. Beth is also remembered by numerous other family members in Canada and England and close family friends. Because of the declining health issues that Beth experienced in her later life, we wish to and invite everyone to remember Beth as the vibrant, self willed personality that she once was, the lady with a warm encapsulating smile .... “the smiler” a lady with an independent spirit ... before time and illness took its toll.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private service will be held on Friday February 19, 2021 at Heartland Funeral Services Chapel, Olds. Live streaming of the service will be available at 10 am February 19, 2021 at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with arrangements. 403-507-8610 Condolences may be made or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com
