Obituary of Beverley Ann Maher

February 17, 1952 - Montreal, Quebec

April 23, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Beverley Maher beloved wife of Derek Maher of Calgary, Alberta, passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at the age of 71 years.

Beverley was born on February 17, 1952 in Montreal, Quebec to David and Anne McKellar. She was one of four sisters and a proud Croydon girl. Growing up, Beverley was always the mischief maker, often getting herself in and out of situations with her quick-wit and sense of humor.

It was one of these ‘situations’ where she met the love of her life. After school one day, Beverley decided to take on some boys that had taken her sisters’ books. She stormed up to their door and demanded the books be returned. When the door opened, there stood their handsome eldest and wiser brother, Derek. He promptly grabbed his younger brothers by the scruff and had them return the books. It was love at first sight and Beverley and Derek were side-by-side ever since.

The love story continued, and she married her husband Derek Maher in 1973. They had many memorable adventures together. Some of the highlights include working on the farm and taking care of their horses Dick and Suzy as well as the many road trips to Vermont, New Hampshire, the Maritimes, and out West to British Columbia and Alberta. This is where they discovered the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. It was on one of their road trips they decided to pack up and head West. Beverley and Derek settled in Calgary, Alberta in 1979.  

It was in Alberta that Beverley worked for Provincial Social Services combining information technology applications. She excelled in this position, often traveling all over Western Canada. While she loved this role, she made the decision to pause her career to stay home with her small children.  

Beverley then opened a Day Home where she was lovingly referred to as “Bevie”. She put her heart and soul into ensuring the children in her home were loved and cared for. The family thinks back fondly of this time and of the children and their families.

Once her children were grown, Beverley was approached to return to Social Services as an Investigator for Stoney Nakoda Child and Family Services. There she had the privilege of representing and protecting children and their families. She was particularly proud of her accomplishments in this role. Beverley loved the days she spent out in the country driving to multiple offices across Alberta. There she had the wonderful opportunity to drive through the mountains.  

Beverley loved the mountains; it was her favorite places to be. The family would often camp at Bow Valley Provincial Park. This is where Beverley claimed Mount Yamnuska as her mountain. Every time the family drives to Banff they always give a little wave to “Mom’s Mountain” and will continue this tradition.

Beverley was a talented writer, often composing poems and of course the annual family Christmas letter. She loved telling jokes, singing songs, and reciting poems. Some of her favorites were Casey at the Bat, K-K-K-Katy, the Rainbow Song and Skinnamarink. Mom would often happily break out into song and entertain us all.

She will be most remembered for her sense of humour, kind and gentle ways, and for the love you could feel when you were around her. She truly was the best and lit up every room she walked into.

Beverley is lovingly remembered by her husband Derek Maher; sons, Michael (Elise), Matthew (Chelsea); and daughter Kaleigh (Bart); as well as her grandchildren, Aubrynn, Gray, Emma and Brielle, all of Calgary, Alberta.

Beverley is also survived by her three sisters, Janet Aitken of Calgary, Alberta, Sue Hollett of Vancouver, British Columbia and Joanne Mullins of Montreal, Quebec.

I love you in the morning and in the afternoon, I love you in the evening underneath the moon! Skinnamarink y dinky dink, Skinnamarink y doo, We Love You.

A Celebration of Beverley’s life will be held in Canmore, Alberta at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Beverley Maher, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, Alberta T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.