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Beatrice Mary Curtis MacdonaldMay 23, 1923 ~ May 20, 2012Beatrice Mary Curtis Macdonald was born in a farmhouse without water or electricity on May 23, 1923 in South Jordan, UT. She died peacefully in her sleep on May 20, 2012. In addition to growing up and working on a Utah farm, she worked as a San Francisco Western Union Operator, helped build and operate historic restaurants and museums in California, and survived the 1989 Santa Cruz earthquake all while pursuing her talents as both a painter and a poet. Most importantly, in the face of technical, social, and historical changes she maintained a peaceful and cozy home where she was a cheerful wife, loving mother, and caring friend to all who knew her.Bea's childhood during the Great Depression saw her hoeing beets and riding a plow horse in the fields. When she was nine years old, her mother and baby sister were killed in an accident with a truck driven by men who had been drinking at a ball game. The following years were difficult and led her to move away from Utah to San Francisco. There she would deliver phone messages and run a switchboard while on roller skates. It was during this time that she met and married the charming Bradley Malcolm Macdonald. Together they embarked upon an adventuresome life with the Shadowbrook and Saba Restaurants as their first ventures. Bea chose the name "Shadowbrook" and it remains one of the loveliest restaurants in the Santa Cruz California area. They also began a series of Historical Wax Museums in Capitola, Santa Cruz, Oakland, Monterey, and Sam's Town, California. Her home was a welcoming haven filled with love, adventure, artistic flair, and memorable meals. Her grandchildren enjoyed sparkling days of picking garden fruit and flowers, making cookies, playing dress ups, going on "bear hunts" and picnicking on the sandy Capitola Beach. She was able to impart to them a keen sense of heritage and family history, and was always willing to share just one more story about when she had been a little girl. While she saw many changes in the world during her lifetime, she still was able to maintain the golden romanticism of California in her home. The images of the crooked oak trees redolent in cool misty mornings, vermillion poppies on the hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and crashing waves on a salmon pink Pacific sunset were subjects of her artistry in paint and words. In 1957, Brad and Bea's beachside restaurant, The Saba, burned to the ground during the night. Early the following morning Bea explained to her children that their investment of blood, sweat and tears had been lost in one night. The tragedy, however, resulted in the eventual conversion of her husband to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They would enjoy faithful participation in the Church for the rest of their lives in California, Washington, and Utah. As both a Relief Society and Young Women's President, Beatrice helped countless people and gained their affection and admiration for making them feel loved and important. Bea's treasured friend was her sister Ruthie and along with Brad and Ruthie's husband Ike formed a foursome who delighted in traveling together to places like Hawaii and Mexico. Bea and Ruthie were tender sisters that took good care of each other. Sweet Beatrice, the last leaf in her family tree, has now rejoined her beloved husband and family. She is lovingly remembered by her son David Michael Macdonald and his wife, Jeanne, her daughter Judith Anne Stone (John), five grandchildren from David (Jeana Bacon, Damon Macdonald, Dusten Macdonald, Deven Macdonald, and David Macdonald), five grandchildren from Judith (Sherianne Schow, Loralee Ahmu, Aimee McConkie, Susan Astle, and Cynthia Stringham) and 42 great-grandchildren. They are grateful for the kind and loving care that Bea received while living at Highland Cove Assisted Living Facility. She will rest in view of her "beautiful mountains" next to her husband in the Sandy City Cemetery. A Graveside Service will be held at the Sandy City Cemetery located on the southwest corner of 9000 South and 700 East at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday May 26, 2012 followed by a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. at the LDS Chapel at the corner of 300 West 3200 North in Lehi (take the Timpanogos Hwy East). In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Humanitarian Aid Fund or a charity of choice.Online condolences www.cannonmortuary.com

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