Obituary of Beverly Anne McGuey

February 25, 1951 – Ottawa, Ontario
August 2, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Beverly McGuey, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a god mother and a very dear friend to many, said goodbye to this earth on at 4:15 p.m. on Monday, August 2, 2021 at the age of 70 years. 

Beverly’s journey here ended too soon in the hearts of most as a result of pancreatic cancer. If there was anyone that could handle such a fast change of life it was Bev. She lived her life to the fullest and while the cancer may have caught her off guard she managed to feel near complete in what she had to do with this life before departing it. 

Beverly Anne McGuey, daughter of Doris and James McGuey was born on February 25, 1951 in Ottawa, ON. Beverly was the younger sister to George and Tony McGuey, and older sister to David McGuey. Bev wore tough skin growing up in a household of boys. Little did she know those boys were her protectors, many times chasing away any boyfriends she had in her teenage years. She was a type A personality, determined and driven by her passions and goals. Very quickly she left the family home to explore the world on her own. Her first trip overseas was to London England where she went to live with her grandmother for two years. From here she started traveling to places like Ireland, which was long before cell phones, internet and other means of easy communication. Her way of letting her parents know she was OK was by a quick few words over a collect call. She would make the call knowing her parents would decline it as agreed but she would get in enough words for them to know she was safe and sound. 
 
Upon a visit to a cousin in Winnipeg, Bev made influential and life changing connections that led her to complete her Neurophysiology Technologist training. It was in this city she met her soul sister, lifelong closest friend Anita Thiessen. Within the over fifty years of friendship the two became more like sisters than friends. Their bond stretched over so many experiences, whether that be working together, traveling the world together and/ or supporting each other in the best and worsts that life brought on. 
 
Bev was known to never sit still. It was a running joke amongst colleagues and friends that every five years she would have to make a change. Her career led her to many different places, but her biggest leap happened in her late thirties when she accepted a job in Saudi Arabia. Bev spent ten years in Saudi, working, learning Arabic, experiencing the culture, exploring the Middle East and other areas of the world, and creating a lifetime of memories and connections. Bev’s career concluded with another ten years at the Mayo clinic in Mesa Arizona to which she called home up until her health had her return to Canada.
 
Bev’s taste for adventure was a quality that stayed with her throughout her lifetime. She once said, a favorite quote of hers was “feel the fear and do it anyways” it was a truism in her life. She filled her life with likeminded people, experiences and she cherished those that touched her through art, scrapbooking memories and time well spent together. 
 
Beverly is survived by her oldest brother George (Pauline) McGuey and youngest brother, David McGuey, her nieces and nephews, Jody (Amy and daughter Jamie), Jennifer (daughters, Ella and Finley), Lisa (Tyler, and sons Mason and Thatcher), Shannon, Sheldon (Alex), her goddaughter Hailey (sons Cypher and Hendrix), godson Jared (Sophie and daughter Willa). Bev’s circle stretched far beyond the family she was born within. She is also survived by her friend family, Anita (daughter Andrea, sons Rob and Ted) Karen (Ovide), Sharel, Linda and Barb. Bev left this world within the same week as her very close friend Marty from Phoenix who was faced with the exact same battle with cancer. Beverly is met by her parents, Doris and James McGuey; brother Tony, and dear friend Rob. 
 
Bev’s strong spirit will be missed but cherished by us all.

A Private Service will be held. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Beverly McGuey, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.