Beatrice Evelyn (Prince) Novlan

     Beatrice Evelyn Novlan, descendant of an Acadian family expelled by the British, was born December 6, 1928, to Madeleine and Charles Prince. Madeleine valued girls’ education at a time when that view was rare. As a result, after Normal School, Beatrice joined the ranks of young women tasked with teaching the post WWll surge of children. These women lived lonely lives, labouring late into the night preparing lessons and materials to teach multi-grade classes in one-room, often very cold, schools. Beatrice cherished her teaching career.

     She married Clem Novlan in 1952. However, like other young brides, she was prohibited from teaching when pregnant. So, she threw herself into family life and community service. 

     In 1964, Paradise Hill built their first arena. Beatrice realized she, along with other women, had to step up so girls could reap its benefits. The Paradise Hill Figure Skating Club was formed. Over a twelve-year period, she and her team put on ten carnivals, all involving hundreds of hours of work. As figure skating became popular throughout the province, volunteer judges became a short commodity. Beatrice often left home at six a.m. and returned at midnight, after long hours on the road and judging in rinks all over Saskatchewan.

     In 1991, Echoes of an Era, a history of Paradise Hill and surrounding communities, was published. Beatrice was proud to serve on the committee that drafted and published the book. It sat within arm’s reach for the rest of her life. 

     In their adult years, all Beatrice’s children, and others, benefitted from her landscaping and gardening knowledge, passion, and skills. As a volunteer, Beatrice, landscaped and maintained several Paradise Hill community building sites as well. She was particularly proud of the Care Home landscaping and maintained those beds into her 80s.

     Ever the teacher, Beatrice, dropped everything to read to a grandchild. Teaching English as a second language to nine children renewed her teacher’s mantle. These children rewarded her with beloved annual invitations to the PH School ‘Grandparent’s Day’. 

     Grandchildren’s activities were a constant draw. Beatrice and Clem toured twenty-six countries through the years; but a granddaughter, Katie, born in Australia, became a stronger draw. They tried to cram in a year’s worth of her sports and other activities in their annual one-month visits. Beatrice threw in some Bridge too, a game she loved.

     After Clem passed away, Beatrice moved to the Care Home in Paradise Hill. It was a haven for her, and she would have chosen to live nowhere else at that point in her life

     She is predeceased by: her parents, Charles and Madeline Prince and her husband, Clement (2019).

    Beatrice is survived by: her sister, Jeannine (Leonard Trask); her children, Miriam, Doug (Coresa), Randy, Janet (Graham Goldman); her grandchildren, Amy Heard, Charles Heard, Tanner Novlan (Kayla) and their daughter, Poppy, Sammantha, Tayt, Nicole (Jim Clipperton) and their sons, Lucas and Brody, Brett (Chelsea), Mitchell (Shalane) and Katie Goldman; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

   The family thanks Vivian Tobler, who helped both Clem and Beatrice remain in the family home, Dr, Spangenberg, Sylvia Skogman, the staff at the Paradise Hill Care Home, and the staff of the Hospital Third Floor.

   Beatrice and Clem believed that people, businesses and families thrive when the community thrives, and they were up for the challenge.  If you wish to honour Beatrice, please donate your time, resources, or money to a charitable cause that benefits your community.

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