May 23 1911- Dec 17 2011

Mary passed away at 100 years of age, on December 17, 2011.

Born Maria Angela Pennimpede (Pennebera), in Vancouver in 1911, to Italian immigrant parents, Mary would recount to her grandchildren how she would take the street-car downtown to the beauty parlour she owned at the age of 16. Leaving her parents behind at the age of 18, on doctor's instructions, Mary moved to Kamloops for its dry climate, and found employment in E.M. Hall's grocery store. When her employment came to an end and she was planning to return to Vancouver, Everett Hall instead proposed marriage and asked her to remain with him in Kamloops. Everett and Mary raised five children, working side-by-side on their large Barnhartvale ranch, Mary managing the household, working in her gardens and building a life in the community. Mary was a lifetime member of the Barnhartvale Community Association, and rarely missed a dance at the Community Hall. Everett passed away in 1968, and ten years later, Mary met her second husband, Harry Beeman, with whom she lived for 10 very happy years. They travelled extensively, and Harry introduced Mary to the sport of golf, which would become one of her passions. She was a member of the Pineridge Golf Club for many years and continued golfing until her 95th year. In 2001, a members year-end tournament trophy for Senior Ladies Club Champion - Best Score was established in her name and continues to be awarded annually. Mary lived in Barnhartvale until moving to Ponderosa Place in 1994 and finally to The Hamlets in 2006. She made many new friends at The Hamlets and never missed a Thursday night dance. On her 100th birthday, Mary danced with nearly everyone at her party.

Mary's eldest son Robert Hall, passed away in 2008, and she is survived by her other four children: Margaret Abbott, Pritchard, BC; Pat (Ralph) Diegel, North Bay, ON; Arlene (Caesar) DeMarni, Edmonton, AB; Ron (Andrea) Hall, Barnhartvale, BC; and her nephews Brian (Violet) Hall, Pritchard, BC; and Don (Mary) Hall, Barnhartvale, BC. They will miss her very much, as will the rest of Mary's very large family, now numbering 16 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and one great great-grandchild.

A Celebration of Mary's life will be held at the Hamlets on December 30, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. for friends, family and staff of the Hamlets.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Society of BC - Kamloops or the Royal Inland Hospital.

Arrangements entrusted to
Personal Alternative Funeral Services
250-554-2324
Condolences may be emailed to the family from
Kamoops@myalteratives.ca