It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce the passing of BEVERLEY JUDITH LITTLE BEAR (Grier), wife of the late Leonard Little Bear and our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend, on Monday, March 14, 2016 at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge at the age of 70 years.
Beverley was born on February 14, 1946 in Brocket, Alberta to Ernie & Bernadette Grier. Growing up, she was her father’s pride and joy; many said they had a great resemblance.
Born and raised on the Piikani Reserve, Beverley attended the Sacred Heart Boarding School where she made memories and friends for years to come. Her High School days were spent in the Lethbridge School District and she graduated from LCI in 1964. Back then, the ideal jobs were secretarial science or nursing. She chose secretarial science and she later got a job with the Vet in Fort Macleod. She worked with Dr. Beste for five years, although she said she was more of a Vet Assistant. Another example of her outgoing personality was winning the “Runner Up” title to the Alberta Native Princess in 1962.
In December of 1966, Beverley married the love of her life, Leonard Little Bear. In 1972, Leonard got a job running the Blood Band Ranch. She than quit her job a year later as she became with child for the second time. She stayed home and became a home maker all while Leonard rodeoed hard. She was his number one fan and biggest supporter. She’d drive all day and night to get him to a rodeo. She was a devoted Catholic and always had a set of rosaries in her purse. In 1979, they moved to Farm Four where, together, they built their homestead and raised there two boys. In her later years, Beverley decided to further her education by obtaining a two year Diploma in Social Work and was employed with Blood Tribe Social Services. Illness took a toll on her later in life, forcing her to retire early. She spent her later years relaxing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved. - especially her grandma’s boy Nick - they were inseparable. Family was the most important thing to Beverley. It didn’t matter if you wee right or wrong, she supported you always
Beverley loved her sons and grandchildren very much. She will be greatly missed by her children: Lenny (Linda) Little Bear, Tibbs (Trish) Little Bear, Bill (Miracle) Grier and Ashley Grier; grandchildren: Mackenzie Little Bear, Natalie (Scott) Rabbit, Tiara Grier, Riley Healy, Nicholas Healy, and Logan Spear Chief; great grandchildren: Julian Chief Calf, Novalie Chief Calf and Bill Jr. Grier; Siblings: Lydia (Casey) Scott and Marcella (Dan) Grier.
Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her parents, Ernie & Bernadette Grier; sisters: Ann Many Fingers and Thelma “Tiny” Coon; brothers: Levi Grier, Norman Grier, Ernie Grier Jr., Curtis Grier and Lucky Grier.
A Wake Service will be at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Monday, March 11th from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Tuesday, March 22nd at 11:00 am. Interment in the Blood Band Cemetery. Email condolences to:[email protected]
LEGACY FUNERAL HOMES LTD., CARDSTON Assisting the Family. Phone 403-653-3222.2.
Beverley was born on February 14, 1946 in Brocket, Alberta to Ernie & Bernadette Grier. Growing up, she was her father’s pride and joy; many said they had a great resemblance.
Born and raised on the Piikani Reserve, Beverley attended the Sacred Heart Boarding School where she made memories and friends for years to come. Her High School days were spent in the Lethbridge School District and she graduated from LCI in 1964. Back then, the ideal jobs were secretarial science or nursing. She chose secretarial science and she later got a job with the Vet in Fort Macleod. She worked with Dr. Beste for five years, although she said she was more of a Vet Assistant. Another example of her outgoing personality was winning the “Runner Up” title to the Alberta Native Princess in 1962.
In December of 1966, Beverley married the love of her life, Leonard Little Bear. In 1972, Leonard got a job running the Blood Band Ranch. She than quit her job a year later as she became with child for the second time. She stayed home and became a home maker all while Leonard rodeoed hard. She was his number one fan and biggest supporter. She’d drive all day and night to get him to a rodeo. She was a devoted Catholic and always had a set of rosaries in her purse. In 1979, they moved to Farm Four where, together, they built their homestead and raised there two boys. In her later years, Beverley decided to further her education by obtaining a two year Diploma in Social Work and was employed with Blood Tribe Social Services. Illness took a toll on her later in life, forcing her to retire early. She spent her later years relaxing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved. - especially her grandma’s boy Nick - they were inseparable. Family was the most important thing to Beverley. It didn’t matter if you wee right or wrong, she supported you always
Beverley loved her sons and grandchildren very much. She will be greatly missed by her children: Lenny (Linda) Little Bear, Tibbs (Trish) Little Bear, Bill (Miracle) Grier and Ashley Grier; grandchildren: Mackenzie Little Bear, Natalie (Scott) Rabbit, Tiara Grier, Riley Healy, Nicholas Healy, and Logan Spear Chief; great grandchildren: Julian Chief Calf, Novalie Chief Calf and Bill Jr. Grier; Siblings: Lydia (Casey) Scott and Marcella (Dan) Grier.
Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her parents, Ernie & Bernadette Grier; sisters: Ann Many Fingers and Thelma “Tiny” Coon; brothers: Levi Grier, Norman Grier, Ernie Grier Jr., Curtis Grier and Lucky Grier.
A Wake Service will be at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Monday, March 11th from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Tuesday, March 22nd at 11:00 am. Interment in the Blood Band Cemetery. Email condolences to:[email protected]
LEGACY FUNERAL HOMES LTD., CARDSTON Assisting the Family. Phone 403-653-3222.2.