Beatrice Page-Wood

PAGE-WOOD, Beatrice C.
Of Portage Passed away early Thursday morning, March 12, 2009 at Park Place Assisted Living Center in Kalamazoo. When Bea was born in the house that her father and grandpa built on Blue Creek Road in Benton Harbor Michigan on October 15, 1920, she was greeted by her parents, Frank and Clara Jakway Culby and her older brothers John and Jim. She was the apple of their eyes. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1939 and then attended Michigan State College, joining her brother Jim and following in the footsteps of her mother, father, and grandfather, James J. Jakway. James Jakway was Benton Twp supervisor for 39 years, served as a representative in the Michigan legislature and was a member of the board of regents of Michigan Agriculture College now Michigan State University. While at Michigan State she married Stanley Page-Wood. Together they had four sons, Donald Judy of Louisville, Ohio, Garson of Fairfax, Virginia, Jeremy Esther of Portage, Michigan and Rob of Beverly Hills, Florida. Stanley died suddenly in 1953. Bea continued to live and raise her sons in their house at 1890 W. John Beers Road in Stevensville, where she transformed the property into a flowering wonderland and a sanctuary for birds through the seasons. Many driving by enjoyed Bea's beautiful gardens. Through the years Bea worked at Emlong Nurseries, Dr. J. Griswald Ruth's office, Benton Harbor City Assessor's office, and Michigan Department of Social Services now Department of Human Services where she retired in 1985. After her retirement, she enjoyed many happy times as a member of "The Old Faithfuls," a group of DSS retirees. She was also a member of Twin City Business and Professional Women and State Employee Retirement Association SERA. In addition to her sons, Bea is lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Tracy, Jennifer and Michael Page-Wood, Lynette Scott Jobe and Danielle Troy Guist of Ohio, Daniel Melanie Page-Wood of Benton Harbor, Joshua Rachelle Page-Wood who now live in Bea's home in Stevensville, Zachary Page-Wood of Portage, Jaakan Meghann Page-Wood and Madolene Ben Stap of Kalamazoo, great-grandchildren Taylor, Alexis, Jacob and Kaden of Ohio and Kenzie and Keira of Benton Harbor, nephews Larry Jill Culby, Michael Mary Ann Culby, Tim Debbie Culby and nieces Sharon Tom Michael and Caribeth Culby all of Benton Harbor, cousins Jackie Sears of Youngstown OH, Patricia Burns of Elk Grove Village IL,. No visitation will be scheduled. A graveside service will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at Crystal Springs Cemetery, 1655 E Napier Ave., Benton Harbor, with a gathering for family and friends immediately following at her former home, 1890 W. John Beers Road, Stevensville. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street. Memorials contributions may be directed to an undetermined fund at Michigan State University contact Langeland Family Funeral Homes for details. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign Bea's online guestbook or leave a condolence to the family.