Putnam, Ethel “Beryl” - 98, of Debert passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 22, 2014 after a full and inspiring life rich with generosity, spirit, and love. Beryl was born to the late Everett and Mae McCully on December 27, 1915. She spent her childhood on the family farm in Debert where she and her siblings had many adventures in the barn, fields and woods surrounding the Putnam homestead. She married Albert Putnam in 1933 and they moved to the Soley house where Beryl stayed at home to raise her four children while Bert worked as a lumber foreman for McCully & Soy Ltd. This was her home where family memories were made until 2011 when she moved into the Debert Court Shannex. Beryl was a gifted story teller and loved to talk about her years working at Barnhill’s store, Putnam’s Jewelry, the Palliser gift shop, and as a cook at various lumber camps over the years with her brother Sid and husband Bert. Her greatest passion was dancing and whether it was Saturday nights at Portapique, Shortt’s Lake Hall or later at the Truro legion senior’s dances, Beryl was known for her classic style, infectious laugh and love for the dance floor! Never a fence sitter, she had a way of giving people her opinion “straight up” and was always the winner in a battle of wits. Beryl was an active member of United Church Women (UCW) of Debert and loved to donate her time and talents to those in need. She enjoyed travelling, most often to Ontario to see her daughter and family, and was a talented artist with a love for painting, needlepoint and collecting antiques. She also reveled in her vegetable garden and was renowned for her cooking and hearty family Sunday dinners, always ready with a smile and a warm welcome to all who visited her home. While Beryl counted these pleasures among her passions, her greatest source of pride and joy was her family. She was a fiercely loyal and loving matriarch who was generous in all ways to those she loved. A true role model, Beryl overcame life’s adversities with an unyielding optimism and it was this positive attitude and love of laughter that became her trademark. Beryl is survived by her sons Glenn Putnam (Doreen), Masstown; Grant Putnam (Phyllis), Truro; daughter Marie (Ron) Slack, Hagersville Ontario; brother Gordon McCully (Phyllis), Debert, and companion Cecil, Truro. She also is survived by her ten grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren. Beryl was predeceased by her husband Bert Putnam, son Ralph Putnam and daughter-in-law Betty (Swan) Putnam, brothers George, Curtis and Sidney and sister Evelyn (McCully) Simpson. Beryl’s family would like to thank the staff at the Debert Court Shannex who provided extraordinary comfort and care for Beryl and truly made her second address in Debert feel like a second home. Visitation will be held Friday, January 24 from 6-8 p.m. with a memorial service on Saturday, January 25 at 10:00 a.m., both at the Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro, Carol Gillard officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Debert Volunteer Fire Department or the Debert United Church. Cremation has taken place and burial will follow at a later date at the Debert Middle Road Cemetery. On-line condolences may be made at www.ColchesterCommunity.com