Valley County, IDGenWeb Project

Beatrice R. Bard

Beatrice Ruth Bard, 94, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2012, with her family by her side.

She was born on April 13, 1918 in New York City. She was raised in a large house in Brooklyn, N.Y. with her parents and two sisters.

Her fondest memories of growing up were of her Dad taking her to Coney Island and spending time on the Boardwalk, seeing a movie and stage show at Radio City Music Hall for the first time and the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden.

As a young woman she was wined and dined at some of the finest night clubs in New York City such as the Kit Kat Klub.

Bea travelled with her sister Helen to Washington D.C. and met David Bard during a three-day stay. When she returned home, she received a marriage proposal in the mail. They were married on May 10, 1942, making the day she died the day after what would have been their 70th wedding anniversary had Dave still been alive.

Their son Michael was born nine months and 17 days after their wedding. Daughter Louise came along five years later.

Bea was a natural beauty, inside and out. She was slow to recognize meanness and quick to forgive and somehow even forget. She had a loving nature and was happiest when bringing happiness to others.

She was one who totally appreciated beauty of all kinds, whether in nature or on a canvas. She adored children to her last day.

Bea was a great cook who also enjoyed decorating her dishes. Dining at Bea’s was always an event to look forward to. Her cream-cheese brownies became her dessert most requested, which will be talked about for a long time to come.

Also at the Bard home, Dave would play piano and all would sing. Bea was always singing, loving the old songs, even at The Cottages in McCall, her last residence.

Bea developed an artistic talent later in life, and made cards to send and sell. These were always treasured by the recipient.

Beatrice was preceded in death by her husband, David, and most beloved child, Michael, who died suddenly at the age of 53. Also her sister Helen and her parents.

She leaves behind her sister Vivienne of New York, daughter Louise Gilbert of Donnelly, who was happy to have her near for the last 5-1/2 years of her life.

Also her daughter-in-law Paula Fox of Texas, her grandchildren Abe (Jennifer) Gilbert of Donnelly, Richard (Rachel) Bard of Maine, and Debra (Lyndon) Breaux of Texas.

She leaves behind great-grandchildren Jonus, Samantha and Michael, special nieces Susan Bard Ng and Carol Plumer as well as her other nieces, nephews and cousins.

At 94, she was the last of her friends.

“I remember you when you were whole
I remember you when life was gold
All the good things that we had
We thought life was not so bad
Why did we think we’d go on and on forever . . .?”





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