Beatrice Dunham

Beatrice Dunham, 89, of Tallahassee, FL passed away peacefully in Westminster Oaks Health Center on May 21, 2013. Beatrice was born on August 25, 1923 to Charles Strauss Fretz and Helen McMullen Fretz in Chicago Illinois. Independent by nature, Bea lived a full and interesting life. She enjoyed working in the legal and public relations fields in Chicago, Manhattan, Miami, Grand Bahama Islands, and Houston. She moved to Tallahassee FL with her older sister Betty in 1993, and worked as Office Manager at the FSU micro-computer lab, until her late 70’s. Betty and Bea, both divorced, lived together as roommates for over 16 years. After Betty passed in 1998, Bea was a 10+year resident of Georgia Belle (now Westminster Gardens) retirement community and moved into Westminster Oaks Health Center last year. She leaves her nieces, Pamela Krohn of Tallahassee, FL, Carol McAteer of Rockville Centre, NY, Judith Love, of Greensboro, NC, Marian Braun of Zephyr Hills, FL, RuthEllen Boerman of Hendersonville, NC, Gail Ecosta of Silsbee, TX, her nephews, Richard Connell of Massachusetts , Raymond Fretz of Colorado, and their families, as well as a close, extended family of dear friends throughout the U.S., with whom she kept in contact until her death, including: Rhonda Creel, Sharon Egan, Mickey Dutey, and Louise Rill of Tallahassee, Priscilla Black of Orlando, FL, Joann DeMarco of Branson, Mo, Emma Hinman of Hollywood, FL, Hildegard Sandhusen of Franklin, NC, Mary Shannon of Houston, TX, and Russell McKitterick of Miami, FL, to name only a few. Bea was an authentic and straightforward individual, well known for her quick and often salty wit. She was an avid reader and an animal lover (especially cats) and could make short work of a daily New York Times crossword puzzle, through her late 80’s. She enjoyed a good steak dinner, playing solitaire and occasionally, a splash of brandy in a flute of champagne. She was dearly loved and left her mark on many hearts. Bea will be fondly remembered and greatly missed. A private memorial will be held in the home of Pamela Krohn at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308-5428 (www.bigbendhospice.org). Assurance (a poem by R. H. Grenville) The body, with its mortal fears, seeing how sunlight disappears, the falling leaves, feeling the breath of early frost, asked: “What is death?” And Spirit, with its keener sight, Its knowledge of the Infinite, replied: “A radiance that is emerging from its chrysalis. A bridge across a quiet stream. An open door beyond a dream.”

Tributes

Beatrice Dunham

August 25, 1923 - May 21, 2013