Obituary of Tanya Arlene BEATON

October 6, 1968 – Hamilton, Ontario
January 5, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Tanya Arlene Beaton passed away peacefully in Calgary, AB, on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family, near and far.  

Tanya battled debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis, requiring nursing care for over 20 years of her life. The family is so grateful to Bethany Care Centre for all the loving care she received through many years. Tanya added so much life and spark to the community of Bethany, brightening the lives of many residents, staff and volunteers- and keeping everyone on their toes.  

Tanya had volunteered at a nursing home as a teenager and chose as a career to become a Nurse’s Aid and worked at a nursing home, primarily with dementia patients in Calgary before her MS made it impossible to work any longer.

Tanya was so proud of her Indigenous heritage and was honoured in her status as a member of the Cayuga band of the Six Nations.  

Tanya had a remarkably cheerful approach to life, had an indomitable spirit living with few complaints in her situation, and finding enjoyment in what each day brought to her. In this way she was a true inspiration to others. With such a sense of humour and a great giggle, she relished a good joke.  She loved cards (especially Nertz in her younger years and King’s Corner in her later years), trips to the Casino, pretty things (like earrings and her lovely hair), the Calgary Flames, and phone calls.   She truly loved her family and friends, and found it easy to say ‘thank you’ and ‘I love you’, and she prayed for her loved ones.

As a teenager and young woman, Tanya was an accomplished athlete – a long distance runner and swimmer – even won a gold medal as she liked to tell people.  Her tenacity and determination to walk again drove her and inspired her for many years and helped her to keep on nurturing her strength to be able to ‘walk her wheelchair’ as she would say, right until recent months. Indeed, Tanya has “fought the good fight, has kept the faith, has finished the race” and now, like the wolf and coyote she so loved from her Indigenous culture, she once again, finally runs free.

Dearly beloved by her father Gordon, her dear Aunt Lyla who cared for her tenderly for so many years and with whom she shared a precious relationship, her ten siblings,  Dwayne (Sharon), Shawn, Carolyn, Ruth, Janine (Jim), Bruce (Marilyn), Sarah, Maureen (Stan), Kristin (Don), and Ian; and her many nieces and nephews, and extended family.  She will also be deeply missed by Gary and Janice and her many friends and caregivers at Bethany Care Centre. Tanya is predeceased by her mothers Beverley and Elizabeth, and dear friend Stan.

A Private Family Service will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Tanya’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Tanya Beaton, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.