Obituary for Donald Beaton
1930 - Donald Beaton - 2022
Donald Beaton of Medicine Hat, beloved husband of Janice Wotherspoon, passed away suddenly in his home, on Saturday, February 12th, 2022 at the age of 91 years. He leaves to cherish his memory, his sons Jeffrey (Lorelie) and Ian, and his daughters Kathleen, Krista, Shannon (Geoff), Colleen, Patricia and Amanda (Kyle); 13 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Donald was predeceased by his parents, Donald and Flora Beaton; his brother, Calum, and sister, Mary.
Donald was born in Glasgow, Scotland on June 14th, 1930, spending most of his youth in the Isle of Skye. Having a love of travel, he spent time working all over Scotland and England. After flipping a coin between Canada and Australia, Donald decided to immigrate to Toronto, Canada in 1967, to begin a new life. Donald had decided to leave Toronto and make his way to the west coast, but fell in love with the prairies along the way, settling in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, before moving to Melville and Neudorf Saskatchewan respectively. In 2016, Donald and Janice moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta, where he would spend the rest of his life.
Donald was married three times in his lifetime, to Barbara Krex in 1954, to Christa Carlsen in 1981 (mother to Jeff and Ian) until she passed in 1990, and after a long engagement, to Janice Wotherspoon on March 31st, 2012, mother to his beloved stepdaughters (Kathleen, Krista, Shannon, Colleen, Patricia and Amanda).
Donald has committed his life to the service and care of others, retiring from being a drug addictions/family counselor, to being active for 50 years in Alcoholics Anonymous as well as the Masonic Lodge. Donald participated in a lot of volunteer and fundraising work in his retirement, devoting himself to bettering his communities and local organizations. Donald was an influential and dedicated man, being a loving husband, father, mentor and friend.
A private time of remembrance will be held. Condolences may be sent to condolences@saamis.com (subject heading: Donald Beaton). There will be a Celebration of Life gathering to be held in Melville, Saskatchewan on June 12th, 2022. Details of the celebration are yet to be determined but shall be announced as soon as possible.
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Tribute by son, Ian Beaton:
For Dad:
It is with heartbreak, and sadness that the Beaton Clan and I wish to share that my father, Donald Alexander Beaton, passed away early morning, February 12th, 2022. His absence has left us all soul searching, spending time with our families, processing, sharing our grief and precious memories together. To have known my father is to know that today seems a little less bright without him here. When I was only seven years old, my brother only seventeen, we lost my mother, Christa Marga Beaton. Dad, in his own grief, was up to the challenge and raised her two little boys, becoming everything we needed for us to become the men we are today. Mom would be so proud of you Dad, you were always there for us. If Jeff and I became good men, it’s because you taught us how. Dad found great love once more in his life, when he met and married Janice Wotherspoon-Beaton. Janice you have become a wonderful mother to two boys and to see how much you’ve done to enrich our father’s life and to support him, even when times were at their most difficult, it means so much. Janice, it breaks our hearts that you have lost your husband and best friend, we love you very much. Janice, when our families joined together, Dad was gifted with many beautiful, strong and independent stepdaughters, Jeff and I gained our sisters. To my sisters, Amanda, Patricia, Colleen, Shannon, Krista and Kathy, many of you were already grown with your own families when Dad came into your lives, but I know he loved you and your kids very much. He was a proud grandpa, and I hope you know how much it means to us that you in turn, cared for and supported our dad. We love you and hope that Dad’s passing brings us even closer as we share our sadness and sweet memories. Dad, you lived 91 years, and you’ve spent all of it touching the lives of the people you’ve met along the way, you’ve given yourself to helping those in need and set an example for the rest of us. It’s not fair to put this kind of perfect legacy on anyone, and as any person would, you’ve made mistakes along the way. However, you showed your boys how to get back up and learn from our mistakes, to act with gentle hearts in difficult times. You know what is perfect, the memories we have that make losing you so hard. The last few years have been hardest, the indignity of old age and losing the things you love most about life. To live to 91 is to lose so many things, and so many people. I cannot know how hard this must have been for you Dad, and yet you somehow kept your spirits up, to care about us, to laugh with us and to remind us what unconditional love is. You have supported us, you’ve welcomed the people in our lives with open arms and you were always such a proud father. Lastly, even though I didn’t know it would be our last conversation in this life, I am eternally grateful the last words I said to you were, “I love you Dad.” I hope you knew just how much. From all of us, Jeff, Lorelie, Janice, my sisters, and so many other wonderful people who have been our friends and our family, we miss you now and always. Nothing I could ever write would be enough to say goodbye Dad.
With all my love,
• Ian Beaton
Donald Beaton of Medicine Hat, beloved husband of Janice Wotherspoon, passed away suddenly in his home, on Saturday, February 12th, 2022 at the age of 91 years. He leaves to cherish his memory, his sons Jeffrey (Lorelie) and Ian, and his daughters Kathleen, Krista, Shannon (Geoff), Colleen, Patricia and Amanda (Kyle); 13 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Donald was predeceased by his parents, Donald and Flora Beaton; his brother, Calum, and sister, Mary.
Donald was born in Glasgow, Scotland on June 14th, 1930, spending most of his youth in the Isle of Skye. Having a love of travel, he spent time working all over Scotland and England. After flipping a coin between Canada and Australia, Donald decided to immigrate to Toronto, Canada in 1967, to begin a new life. Donald had decided to leave Toronto and make his way to the west coast, but fell in love with the prairies along the way, settling in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, before moving to Melville and Neudorf Saskatchewan respectively. In 2016, Donald and Janice moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta, where he would spend the rest of his life.
Donald was married three times in his lifetime, to Barbara Krex in 1954, to Christa Carlsen in 1981 (mother to Jeff and Ian) until she passed in 1990, and after a long engagement, to Janice Wotherspoon on March 31st, 2012, mother to his beloved stepdaughters (Kathleen, Krista, Shannon, Colleen, Patricia and Amanda).
Donald has committed his life to the service and care of others, retiring from being a drug addictions/family counselor, to being active for 50 years in Alcoholics Anonymous as well as the Masonic Lodge. Donald participated in a lot of volunteer and fundraising work in his retirement, devoting himself to bettering his communities and local organizations. Donald was an influential and dedicated man, being a loving husband, father, mentor and friend.
A private time of remembrance will be held. Condolences may be sent to condolences@saamis.com (subject heading: Donald Beaton). There will be a Celebration of Life gathering to be held in Melville, Saskatchewan on June 12th, 2022. Details of the celebration are yet to be determined but shall be announced as soon as possible.
——————————————
Tribute by son, Ian Beaton:
For Dad:
It is with heartbreak, and sadness that the Beaton Clan and I wish to share that my father, Donald Alexander Beaton, passed away early morning, February 12th, 2022. His absence has left us all soul searching, spending time with our families, processing, sharing our grief and precious memories together. To have known my father is to know that today seems a little less bright without him here. When I was only seven years old, my brother only seventeen, we lost my mother, Christa Marga Beaton. Dad, in his own grief, was up to the challenge and raised her two little boys, becoming everything we needed for us to become the men we are today. Mom would be so proud of you Dad, you were always there for us. If Jeff and I became good men, it’s because you taught us how. Dad found great love once more in his life, when he met and married Janice Wotherspoon-Beaton. Janice you have become a wonderful mother to two boys and to see how much you’ve done to enrich our father’s life and to support him, even when times were at their most difficult, it means so much. Janice, it breaks our hearts that you have lost your husband and best friend, we love you very much. Janice, when our families joined together, Dad was gifted with many beautiful, strong and independent stepdaughters, Jeff and I gained our sisters. To my sisters, Amanda, Patricia, Colleen, Shannon, Krista and Kathy, many of you were already grown with your own families when Dad came into your lives, but I know he loved you and your kids very much. He was a proud grandpa, and I hope you know how much it means to us that you in turn, cared for and supported our dad. We love you and hope that Dad’s passing brings us even closer as we share our sadness and sweet memories. Dad, you lived 91 years, and you’ve spent all of it touching the lives of the people you’ve met along the way, you’ve given yourself to helping those in need and set an example for the rest of us. It’s not fair to put this kind of perfect legacy on anyone, and as any person would, you’ve made mistakes along the way. However, you showed your boys how to get back up and learn from our mistakes, to act with gentle hearts in difficult times. You know what is perfect, the memories we have that make losing you so hard. The last few years have been hardest, the indignity of old age and losing the things you love most about life. To live to 91 is to lose so many things, and so many people. I cannot know how hard this must have been for you Dad, and yet you somehow kept your spirits up, to care about us, to laugh with us and to remind us what unconditional love is. You have supported us, you’ve welcomed the people in our lives with open arms and you were always such a proud father. Lastly, even though I didn’t know it would be our last conversation in this life, I am eternally grateful the last words I said to you were, “I love you Dad.” I hope you knew just how much. From all of us, Jeff, Lorelie, Janice, my sisters, and so many other wonderful people who have been our friends and our family, we miss you now and always. Nothing I could ever write would be enough to say goodbye Dad.
With all my love,
• Ian Beaton