Beatrice Wade Shockey died quietly at Islands Convalescent Center on June 14, 2010, after a long bout with cancer.

She was 94.

Bea was born on Sept. 18, 1915, in Rockford, Ill., and was named after her aunt Beatrice, who made ballet costumes for the Washington, D.C., Ballet Company.

Bea obtained her B.A. in English in 1938 and gradually worked her way to the West Coast as a teacher, spending time in New Mexico, Colorado, Minnesota, and Vancouver, B.C. She began her teaching career in 1950 as a nursery school teacher, then taught grades 1-8 at various times over the next 33 years. It was the Great Depression and seeing the breadlines that motivated Bea to have a lifelong career.

Bea’s love of teaching centered around remedial reading and learning disabilities. She continued to tutor children in those areas after her retirement to San Juan Island in 1983, and built a home with husband William. Bea became a beloved teacher to several generations of children on San Juan Island, many of whom attribute their academic success to her patient tutoring abilities. She was an active tutor until age 92, when her weakening physical condition required care at a convalescent facility.

While never of more than modest means, Bea contributed generously to many social causes for years, believing that only by helping others and protecting our wildlife, and our environment, can we make this a better world.

Bea is survived by her son, John C. Shockey of Friday Harbor. Her husband, William J. Shockey, preceded her in death on Nov. 29, 1997.

It was her wish that the remains of both herself and her husband be interred together. An urn committal and graveside service for Bea and Bill will be held June 27, 2010, 10 a.m. at Valley Cemetery on San Juan Island.

To share memories of Bea, sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com. Memorials preferred to Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

— Friends of Beatrice Shockey