BIRTHE (BEA) CHRISTENSEN

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BIRTHE (BEA) CHRISTENSEN

Bea, with her daughter Sandy and her husband Borge "Chris" Christensen by her side, passed away peacefully at Concordia Hospital on December 28, 2024, at 10:01 am.

Bea was born Birthe Hansen on May 15, 1934, in Copenhagen, Denmark to Jens Hansen and Ane Kjestine Hansen (nee Thygesen). She was the third and youngest of their family. She grew up in Copenhagen with her brother Svend and her sister Dagny. Her childhood was defined by the Nazi occupation of Denmark and the postwar liberation. After completing her schooling, she apprenticed and then worked as a bookkeeper. As a young woman she enjoyed bicycle trips around Denmark and Norway with her friends. She also played for a championship handball team. It was at a one of these handball matches that she met her future husband Borge. They were engaged in 1955 and during that summer travelled across Europe from Copenhagen to Venice on Borge's motorcycle.

Marriage followed on March 2, 1957, and in May they set sail for Canada where Borge's Uncle Oluf resided. After living briefly on his farm in Carlton County they moved to Bristol, New Brunswick and Saint John before settling in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The next decade saw the birth of Birthe's children, Alan, Annette and Sandy. She stayed at home to raise her children as the family moved between Halifax and Moncton, New Brunswick. By 1974 she was ready to re-enter the paid workforce and obtained employment with the Sears credit department.

In 1980 the family moved to Winnipeg where they became active in the Danish Club and the Scandinavian Pavilion of Folklorama. This led to many new friendships and in 2024 to both her and Borge were made Life Members of the Danish Club. After retirement in the late 1980s Bea was able to spend more time with her grandchildren and enjoy a passion for golf. As Borge joined her in retirement, they increased their travel visiting most parts of Canada and many parts of the United States. They also made regular visits to family in Denmark and spent many winters in San Antonio, Texas where they made a new group of friends. Although her last year had many health care struggles, she lived a full and active life.

Bea is survived by her husband Borge, children, Alan (Kathleen), Annette (Paul), Sandy and grandchildren, Jessica (Richard), Neil, Justin (Samantha), Ian, Anna Marie (Malcolm) and Amanda (Dwier). She also had one great-grandson and two step-great-granddaughters.

We would like to thank the staff at Concordia Hospital and especially thank the staff at Seine River Retirement Community for their help during this difficult time.

Interment and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to Diabetes Canada.

Tribute Link: www.chapellawn.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 11, 2025