Beverley Gertrude Wilkinson

Passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at the Huntsville Hospital on Sunday, October 11, 2026, she was in her 82nd year. Loving mother of Bernie, Gail (Brian), Wanda (Terry), Derek (Robyn), Emily (Steve), Jody (Peter) and dear friend of Russ. Loving grandmother and great-grandmother of many. Bev is predeceased by her parents Harold & Trudy Wilkinson, her son Lloyd, her grandsons Douglas and Colin, her brothers Albert and Arthur and sisters Dorothy, Grace, Ellen, Aileen, Eva, Gladys, Jean. She is survived by her siblings Alice and Wesley.

Born the youngest daughter Bev came into the world already an Aunt, close enough in age to her nieces Donna and Judy to attend school with them. Bev insisted that they call her "Aunt Bev" at school as well at home.

Bev's place in the pecking order set her on the path to care giver from a very early age.

Through out her life Bev help raise and take care of many nieces and nephews honing her skills to becoming the best mother she could be, making even the broodiest of hens envious. She could be as feisty as a banty rooster and as tender as a dove.

Caring for her ailing family members was a natural next step for Bev. She helped her sisters, mother and uncle Will through their last days.

Bev easily made many friends throughout her life, an ability that she never lost, as evident in her special friendship with her dear friend Russ.

Those of us who spent our lives around her knew she viewed the world through a very specific lens. She was incredibly strict and the world for her was black-and-white.

For mom, structure and doing things "right" was not just a preference, it was her armor.

What Bev lacked in stature she more than made up for with hair triggered spitfire dogged determination, proving that dynamite really does come in small packages! As the doctors who cared for her in her final moments can attest... As they affectionately dubbed her "Spicy"!

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 11:00 am at Knox United Cemetery in Kearney. A Celebration of Life to follow at the Kearney Legion -58 Park Road, Kearney from 11:30 am until 2:30 pm. Arrangements entrusted to Opatovsky Funeral Home- Moore Chapel. If desire, donations to the Burks Falls Legion BR#405 or the Burks Falls Food Bank would be gratefully acknowledged as expressions of sympathy.