Beatrice Stuart

Palmer resident Beatrice “Bee” Hope Stuart, 95, died Sept. 29, 2007, at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer. A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Oct. 6, at Wasilla Christian Church, Mile 2.3 Knik Goose Bay Road in Wasilla.

Stuart was born May 2, 1912, in Reno, Nev., to Elmer and Beatrice Pierson Cobb. She attended school there and graduated from the University of Nevada at Reno. She loved music and learned to play the piano at an early age. She became an accomplished pianist and played in many churches.

In 1935, she married William Harland “Hop” Stuart. When he joined the U.S. Air Force, it began a life of moving all over the United States and even Okinawa, Japan. Stuart loved to travel and made many friends worldwide. She kept in touch with these friends until her death. She did volunteer work in every area that she moved, and loved being of service to others. She was a strong Christian and shared her faith in Jesus with others. The Stuarts initially came to Alaska in 1955 and lived on Elmendorf Air Force Base. The couple left Alaska in 1958 and retired to Reno until he died in 1980. She again traveled, finally returning to Alaska in 1992 to be with her daughter and grandchildren.

Stuart is survived by daughter Ellen (Wayne) Lynch; grandchildren Deborah (Brad) Wilson, Maria (Dennis) Chavez, Michael (Maria) Lynch, Theresa (Ken) Chrisman, Joel (Rhonda) Lynch and Corinna (Tom) Schachle; 19 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mission Fund at Wasilla Christian Church, P.O. Box 870221, Wasilla, AK 99687.