Volunteer Still Loves to Tickle the Ivories at Age 100
Thursday June 14, 2012 | By:Metro Source Staff |
Name a song and chances are Beatrice Doig Pacanowski of West Seneca will be able to play it - and by ear, nonetheless! Beatrice is known throughout West Seneca for her wonderful piano playing and community involvement. She has been a volunteer at The McGuire Group’s Seneca Health Care Center for nearly 10 years and entertains the residents weekly with her lively piano music. Her dedication and commitment earned her the facility’s Volunteer of the Year award in 2009.
On Saturday, June 9, it was Bea’s turn to be serenaded to the tune of Happy Birthday as her family and friends helped usher in her 100th birthday at a special party held at the Winchester Community Church on Harlem Road in West Seneca. There was a photographer at the event to take a family portrait of the more than 40 children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and relatives that were present.
Bea was born on June 9, 1912 in Illinois and moved to Buffalo as a child with her family. She is the wife of the late David Doig who passed away in 1949. Together the couple had four children, Judith Wright, David, Donald and Bonnie. While working at Bethlehem Steel, she met her future husband Stanley Pacanowski and the two were married until his passing in 1960.
In addition to playing the piano weekly at Seneca Health Care Center, Bea also plays for the Winchester Community Church Senior Group once a month and has one remaining pupil whom she teaches private lessons to in her home. Over the years, Bea has taught community members of all ages how to play the piano. “One of the most amazing things about her is that she plays all of her songs from memory,” said her daughter Bonnie who also plays the piano. “Mother taught me what she knew,” she said. Over the years, Bea had also directed the church choir and played the pipe organ at Cazenovia Park Baptist Church in South Buffalo.
Bea attributes her longevity to clean living - never having smoked or drank.
The residents and employees at Seneca Health Care Center are very pleased to honor Bea and thank her for all she does at the facility and throughout the community. She is a true blessing.
On Saturday, June 9, it was Bea’s turn to be serenaded to the tune of Happy Birthday as her family and friends helped usher in her 100th birthday at a special party held at the Winchester Community Church on Harlem Road in West Seneca. There was a photographer at the event to take a family portrait of the more than 40 children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and relatives that were present.
Bea was born on June 9, 1912 in Illinois and moved to Buffalo as a child with her family. She is the wife of the late David Doig who passed away in 1949. Together the couple had four children, Judith Wright, David, Donald and Bonnie. While working at Bethlehem Steel, she met her future husband Stanley Pacanowski and the two were married until his passing in 1960.
In addition to playing the piano weekly at Seneca Health Care Center, Bea also plays for the Winchester Community Church Senior Group once a month and has one remaining pupil whom she teaches private lessons to in her home. Over the years, Bea has taught community members of all ages how to play the piano. “One of the most amazing things about her is that she plays all of her songs from memory,” said her daughter Bonnie who also plays the piano. “Mother taught me what she knew,” she said. Over the years, Bea had also directed the church choir and played the pipe organ at Cazenovia Park Baptist Church in South Buffalo.
Bea attributes her longevity to clean living - never having smoked or drank.
The residents and employees at Seneca Health Care Center are very pleased to honor Bea and thank her for all she does at the facility and throughout the community. She is a true blessing.
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