11/08/2025
Celebrating a Century of Joy: The Story of Bea C.
Born in Olds, Alberta, Canada, the early life of Bea C. was marked by profound separation and resilience . During the Depression era, following the death of her mother, Bea and her five siblings were separated and placed into adoption. This difficult period meant the six children were sent in different directions. One of the greatest joys of Bea’s life, however, was the reunion of all her siblings after their long separation.
In 1949, Bea married and moved to Eugene, Oregon, where her husband began his studies in Dentistry at the University of Oregon. They later moved to Portland for him to complete his degree. They raised a large family of five children—three boys and two girls—during 64 years of marriage. Bea was a dedicated full-time homemaker and a self-proclaimed disciplinarian. To instill a strong work ethic, she put her children to work on their one-acre property, famously recounting how each child moved "a ton of bark dust."
As her husband's career matured, Bea seamlessly transitioned into a professional role. For the last three years of his dental practice, she served as his receptionist, managing the clinic's banking and all administrative operations.
🎉 A Centenarian’s Wisdom
Bea C. recently celebrated a monumental birthday: October 31st was her 100th birthday!
Her unwavering happy attitude and powerful life philosophy have clearly served her well. Distilled from navigating a century of change and challenge, her outlook remains:
"Things are gonna happen during your life, just the way you handle it or don't handle it. It will look better in the morning."
This vibrant spirit was also on full display for her 90th birthday, when she went hot air ballooning in Newberg, Oregon. Bea C.'s life is a magnificent testament to resilience, the joy of family reunion, dedicated work, and the enduring power of a positive outlook.
