Obituary of Beverley Burrell McNiven (nee Ratcliffe)

October 30, 1930 – Edmonton, Alberta

December 25, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Beverley McNiven, beloved wife of the late John McNiven, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2022 at the age of 91 years.

Our mother, Bev, was born in Edmonton, AB, the eldest of two daughters, born to Alex and Audrey Ratcliffe. Bev grew up in the Garneau district, close to the University of Alberta; played golf with her father, took piano lessons, and attended First Presbyterian Church.

She graduated from the University of Alberta in 1954 with a B.A. in Library Sciences. Bev married John McNiven in 1954 at First Presbyterian Church in Edmonton. John and Bev decided to move to Calgary, where John began his articles, and they started a family. Raising the family, included building a cottage and spending the summers at Pigeon Lake, winter ski trips and hiking in the Kananaskis Area, where the family had a cottage on Lower Kananaskis Lake.

Bev was deeply devoted to her family and friends. She enjoyed reading, travelling, spending time in her garden, exercising at the Glencoe Club and in later life, walking her dog, Charlie. Bev spent many years volunteering with the Samaritan Club, supporting the Calgary Philharmonic and Theatre Calgary. She travelled extensively with friends and family after John passed away in 1996.

Mom will be lovingly remembered and leaves behind to celebrate her life are her three children: Alex (Margaret Lomas), Diane (Kennedy O’Brien) and Douglas (Julie); and six grandchildren, Max (Ji Jung), Elliot (Julia), Indiana, Allison, Norman and Jesse (Rielly). Our youngest sister Judy predeceased Mom in 1986.

At Mom’s request, there will not be a funeral service. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Beverley McNiven, 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.