BERGSTROEM, Asta Marianne

Marianne passed away peacefully after a battle with cancer on April 29^th,  2023.  She was the only daughter of Rolf Bergstrom (2004) and Sirkka-Liisa Bergstrom (2022) and was predeceased by her brother Tom (2021). She is survived by her loving husband, Richard Beardmore, and his children, Sarah (Mauro, Mia and Eva), Ben (Jessie, Jack, Maggie, and Teddy) and Simon (Isy, Finn and Isla). She leaves to mourn her devoted brother, Peter of Paris, and also Mia of New York, Michael of London and Kati of Finland and Jan of Sweden and Emilie of Finland. She is also mourned by her sisters –in-law, Pat Muldoon, Carol Lamb, Diane Lobb and Anne Psaila, and their families.

Marianne grew up in Eura, Finland and after graduating from Björneborgs Svenska Samskola, she studied Political Science at Abo Akademi University, graduating in 1976.

Marianne had a long and interesting international career starting at the Finnish Red Cross and later with the Red Cross in Switzerland. Thereafter she worked for the Finnish Foreign Affairs office in Helsinki and then on to Nepal at the UN organization ILO. She then worked in Zambia as the second in charge at the Finnish Embassy. Marianne finished her long career as a consultant for The World Bank.

While in Zambia, Marianne met her future husband, the love of her life, Richard, and they settled in Washington, D.C. where they both worked for The World Bank and later retired to North Hatley, Quebec. After brief moves to Ottawa and Montreal, they returned to Lennoxville where they supported each other faithfully.

Marianne loved to swim, play tennis, ski and to walk, and especially enjoyed travel. She was fluent in five languages, easily making friends all over the world.

A cremation has taken place and Peter, her brother, will return her ashes to her beloved Finland for a family burial ceremony at a later date.

-See you anon, My Darling-

Her family wishes to thank all the staff at Hotel Dieu Hospital for their dedicated care, and everyone at St Francis Manor/Le Renaissance for their friendship and kindness. There is a special thanks to her Finnish girlfriends, Ann Yrjala, Barbro Sunde, Carita Nybom and Ylva Uotila, who supported her always. We would also like to thank Jessica and David and Dr Mia Nadeau and all the CLSC staff who cared for Marianne.

Donations to The Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

https://cancer.ca/en/

For those who would like to share memories of Marianne or send words of sympathy to her family, please feel free to do so through our Website below.

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May God give you the strength and the courage to overcome these difficult times. May this message bring you the testimony of a profound and sincere sympathy. To help you forget these sad hours, may our thoughts bring you comfort and serenity. Although flowers wither, die and disappear, their precious perfume remains. Like these bright flowers, those we love never die, they remain with us forever imprinted in our memories. There are no words to express how much we are devastated by the loss you live. We just hope that our sympathy will bring you some relief.

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5 messages received

Marianne

You deserve a whole forest. Such an amazing career and life. I always loved hearing your stories.

A tree is planted
in memory of the deceased

Katie Muldoon, May 4, 2023

Richard

I will not forget the cosy moments with Marianne over a cup of coffee and Digestive cookies, the letters from all corners of the world, how welcomed I felt in your common home, Richard, wherever you lived. Always greeted by her lovely smile and warm heart. I miss my friend of 50 years, yes I do.
Carita

Carita Nybom, May 8, 2023

Richard Beardmore, Peter Bergstrom

We were shocked to read of Marianne’s passing. Our sincere sympathy to Richard and to her family and friends in Finland. We first met Richard and Marianne when we rented their house in North Hatley, while we were building our house. We then shared a few meals together while they were living in Ottawa. Unfortunately we lost touch after that.

We will remember Marianne as an energetic and active woman who was so kind and gracious.

Al and Lynda Bell, North Hatley and Ottawa, May 9, 2023

Richard Beardmore

Richard,
I am so sorry for your loss.
The passing of Marianne, a longtime, loyal, generous, and witty friend has saddened me deeply.
I will always treasure the memories of the dinners at your home in Finland, and my visits to your homes in Washington D.C., and Ottawa. Such happy memories.
I wish you strength through these difficult times.

Barbro Sunde, May 9, 2023

Richard and Peter

So sad to hear about Marianne’s illness and death. We shared many good moments working at the MFA, but also enjoyed a number of nice lunches, dinners and walks over the years.
Sincere condolences to the whole family.

Gisela Blumenthal, June 10, 2023