Obituary of Cathryn Marion Beesley
Cathryn M. Beesley of Saint John, beloved wife of the late Rev. Harold M. Beesley, went to her heavenly home on June 20, 2020 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Cathryn was born to the late Henry and Theresa (Morgan) Van Dyke in New Jersey.
She graduated from North Point Bible College in Rhode Island with her husband in 1947. Rev. Harold and Cathryn were married in 1948 and began their ministry immediately, pastoring in Nova Scotia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maine. Cathryn was Minister of Education which involved Sunday School, Women’s Group, Girls ministry – Ages 5 to 18, nursing homes and many more activities. She was also very active in entertaining missionaries from all countries as well as evangelists in their home. She loved helping people in need, especially the elderly. Her hobbies were knitting for her grandchildren, knitting baby hats and sweaters of all kinds, and cooking.
Cathryn will be greatly missed by her daughter-in-law: Marilyn Beesley; grandchildren: Fr. Kevin (Erin) Beesley, and Teresa Siegel as well as her husband Mark; great grandchildren: Kevin and Brandon Beesley, and Mariah Billman; two step-grandchildren; sister Stella Dubbeld; several nieces and nephews; treasured friends: Larry and Pat McPhee, Barbara Hovey, and Walter and Marilyn Rees; as well as her loving and trusted caretakers, nephew Rev. Douglas Moore and his wife Marie.
Besides her husband Harold and her parents, Cathryn is predeceased by her daughter: Ruth Beesley; son Harold Beesley; grandson: Jonathan David; brothers Stanley, Ronald, John, Edward, Joseph, and Howard Van Dyke.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB. (506) 634-7424. Due to the current provincial restrictions regarding Covid-19, a private funeral liturgy will be held. The service will be available to view on the website beginning Thursday, June 25th at 10:00 AM. Interment will take place at Fernhill Cemetery. Donations in Cathryn’s memory can be made to the Heart and Lung Association, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
