Tribute

Beverly passed away peacefully in her home at Menno Place at the age of 86. She is
predeceased by her loving husband, William Weston Dey, her father Clifford Sayer, mother
Florence Sayer (Lowes), and survived by her 2 brothers – Jim Sayer, Thomas Sayer, and 2 sisters
– Marilyn (Huber), Donna (Staar), 7 children – Rodney (Carole), Bradley (Lisa), Kenneth (Denise),
Leslie Borden (Carmon), Allyson Hawrysh (Alexander), Weston (Kaarina), Tracy Dey (Kerry); 13
grandchildren – Nicole, Braedon, Liam (Rachel), Quinlin (Zena), Terrell (Madison), Iysha
(Brayden), Hayden, Alyx, Autumn, Alyssa, Isabella, London and Kennedy. 4 great grandchildren
– Bronson, Killian, Maven and Remi and many other relatives and friends whom she was very
proud of and loved unconditionally.
Beverly was the first born to father, Clifford (part owner/butcher at the Red and White Store)
and mother, Florence (Housewife) in Roland Manitoba on November 12, 1936. She grew up
with her 2 brothers and 2 sisters and as an avid reader she dreamed of a life outside of her tiny
little hometown. She left Roland as soon as she could, eventually coming out west to
Vancouver, BC.

She met her husband of 61 years in Winnipeg, Manitoba at a church event, where William fell in
love right away with her feisty attitude. He followed her to Vancouver, British Columbia, where
they eventually got married on June 29th, 1958, and had 7 children of their own.

After their 3rd child and a 4th along the way, William and Beverly bought their first home at 1470
Gravely Street in East Vancouver. They filled their home with love and an open-door policy to
one and all. The neighborhood kids always felt welcome as well as our very large extended
family who was always invited to very well-planned parties, dinners, and events that included
lots of food, music, fun and games. Beverly was an amazing event planner; she was
meticulously organized with everything. She especially loved Christmas; it was her favorite time
of the year where she could put up all of her decorations in every corner of the house. She also
was very involved in the church and raised her children in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
Day Saints.

When some of her children grew up and started leaving home, she started a Day Care, where
she looked after the children as though they were her own. She did this for several years and
then found it difficult to keep up with as she started to get ill. To this day she has kept in touch
with many of those families and children.

In 1988, Bev and Bill sold their beautiful home on Gravely Street and came out to Abbotsford
where they have resided ever since. Beverly and Bill always made a home away from home for
everyone, so it didn’t take long for everyone to feel the same about their new location. While in
Abbotsford Beverly became more involved with her church and the people of the church
became like her extended family. She loved them all. She also started to work on her
Genealogy, and it was a large part of her new life.

Through her 50’s she started to lose her hearing and eventually became completely deaf. To
communicate with everyone, she learned sign language along with many of her children and
some friends. At this same time, she got a job at A&W as a server. It was very hard for her to
hear, but she managed. Eventually her children convinced her to get a Cochlear implant which
in the end was a huge success. With her now able to hear, she eventually forgot how to sign,
but was able to regain her love for music and have excellent conversations with everyone.
In her late 60’s she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and dealt with that unsettling news as
soon as she could. Her sister Donna was instrumental in her care, and she was always looked
after by her children. She conquered her cancer; they told her she was going to be fine.
During her 70’s, after her husband Bill was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she spent most
of her years taking good care of her husband. In 2018, Beverly was told she had metastatic
breast cancer in her bones. Knowing her and Bill needed more care, she moved them both to
Menno Home in spring of 2019, where they spent their final years. They were both very well
looked after by Menno Home and their many children who loved them unconditionally. Bill
passed away on Oct 31st, 2019. Beverly lived, loved and laughed for 4 more years at Menno
Apartments/Terrace East. She loved her little home and all the people who cared for her there,
she couldn’t thank them enough.

Beverly spent a lot of her time keeping in touch with family & friends through email, face book
and good old fashioned letter writing. She also continued with her Genealogy until she felt it
was finished. Despite her sickness with cancer, she accomplished many things which included
staying active with exercise, going out to her favorite restaurants with anyone who would take
her and attending her beloved church. She was very strong, very organized and extremely sharp
in her final days.

Bev will be remembered for being full of warmth, love and laughter which she shared with
family, friends and people of her community; she will be deeply missed.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday November 16th, 2023, at 11 a.m. graciously provided
by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,  30635 Blueridge Dr., Abbotsford, B.C.