Beatrice Lucille Stratton

BEATRICE LUCILLE STRATTON (Nees), on Saturday the 13th of March, 2010 has made her last stop on her 85 year earthly journey. She slipped peacefully away in her sleep.

B.D. or Annie Bea as her relatives and many friends would call her began her journey in Louisville, Ohio on August 19, 1924. Alpha, a school teacher and Pa Tom, a Pennsylvania Railroad engineer were to be her new proud parents. She grew up with big sister Francis and little brother John through the depression years; she learned dance and gymnastics, performing for church and other recitals in the area.

At the Louisville High School she loved art, drama and being a Blue Raiders cheerleader. She worked at Timken Roller Bearing as an inspector and then with Berger Division of Republic Steel during WWII as one of the war's famous original "Rosie the Riveter". She helped build the B-24 Liberator bombers for the Army Air Corp.

After the war, working in the offices of the Berger Division she happened to notice a very handsome young war veteran by the name of George. They hit it off immediately and after a whirlwind romance they were married at Canton, November 7th, 1948. Through their union came Linda Sue and Craig Brian to complete their post war happy home on Whipple Road in Canton.

Beatrice worked for the Schuman Drug Co. While working with Mr. Schuman, mother and he came up with a brilliant idea to raise the money to help with the start of ground breaking from donations given by Canton area businesses and organizations. Mother was the first one to hand them this check for the Football Hall of Fame. She was president of Canton's Chapter of Junior Sorosis, helping the growing community and honing her craft skills.

Mother was very creative and artistic creating a fun atmosphere to grow up in. She was always taking us kids to the zoo, Mother Goose Land, Myer's Lake Amusement Park and Lake Cable for swimming and picnics as dad was busy at Republic Steel as a young boss. One of our fondest memories is driving dad to work and stopping off for a baker's dozen of fresh, warm, glazed donuts at Nichels Bakery on the way home. She would load us up into the car and take us to Canal Fulton, Dover Dam and to visit our many relatives.

Mother was a great cook and we especially liked it when she took the night off and we all went to Heggy's for hot dogs, buttered french fries and pineapple milkshakes.

When dad was transferred to Youngstown, we settled in Columbiana where mom played bridge, bowled, danced with George at Dance Club and then played golf. Let's not forget golf where every waking moment was consumed by golf. Bea loved playing at Copeland Hills every week and became senior volunteer for the Youngstown area LPGA Golf Tournament for 15 years working in the score tent amongst the world's greatest female golfers. Meeting and eating with every one of them provided her with countless memories. If mom had her way she would have worn her complete golf outfit to bed but dad had to draw the line somewhere!

A great mind for adventure and a humorous spirit greeted the many who came to know and love her.

Her love of gardening brought her to the Columbiana Women's Club. Custom bird houses graced her property inside as well as out. She loved birds of all sizes and basset puppies and her Teddy Bear collection.

She loved landscaping but never got around to her own rock garden out back because at her age who was going to tend to all those weeds. Bea had a big heart and gave of her time generously. She was always there to help someone.

After Papa George passed away in 1995 she continued her sorties by herself loading her Toyota Camry to the gills. Every year she would drive the distance by herself to Florida to meet old school chums and friends and then up the coast to Savannah and Charleston before her long stay at North Myrtle Beach where she would deplete the local supply of Calabash Shrimp. Boy did she love shrimp and lobster and those American Legion Street Fair burgers with grilled onions. Bea made it a point to always join her dear friend Karen for their annual burger.

As the twilight years crept in, the dementia took over, Mom never let her spirits die. Always optimistic, she had a kind word to the end.

First as a loving wife, then as a mother, a grandmother and finally a great grandmother, her job is through. Bea did her job well with what she was given.

Her wish was finally granted as she would go hand in hand with her beloved husband George to dance away Eternity at the Moonlight Ballroom at Myer's Lake.

Dancing on the moonbeams from star to star to the sounds of the Big Bands playing on and on and on. . . .

Mother you will always be loved.

Arrangements were made by the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana.