Beverley Ruth Cram
Obituary - January 4th, 2021
BEVERLEY RUTH CRAM (née Graham) July 15, 1933 - January 4, 2021
Peacefully in Toronto on Monday, January 4, 2021. She is survived by her seven children, Christine (Alex Binkley), Bruce (Carolyn Neale), David (Alison Beames), Dorothy (Greg Clark), Brian, Claire (Richard MacLaine) and Brenda (Matthew Little); 14 grandchildren, Douglas, Erin, Dorothy, Jaime, Ben, Heather, Gordon, Emily, Charlotte, Aly, Scott, Jessie, Tyler and Shawn; and 10 great-grandchildren, Ella, Olivia, Evelyn, Violet, James, Nora, Fraser, Myles, Millie and Simon.
Beverley attended Jarvis Collegiate where she met her husband (deceased March, 2011) of 60 years, Douglas Cram. Although supporting her family was the main focus of her life, Bev (or Nanook as she was known to many people) returned to school in her 40s and earned her Bachelor's and then Master's of Forestry at the University of Toronto.
Beverley was happiest in Muskoka. She spent her 87 summers on Lake Rosseau, surrounded by generations of family and friends. For many years she led Camp Cram at the cottage, and had all of her and Douglas's grandchildren for the month of July, where she helped introduce them to the many wonderful aspects of the area, including swimming, golf, canoeing, rowing, tennis, sailing and boating, etc. One of the most important aspects of Camp Cram to Nanook, was that the children become part of a bigger family and build relationships with their cousins that lived from coast to coast in Canada. She extended this Camp invitation to ski trips in Quebec and British Columbia in the winters.
Beverley realized the importance of education and was very proud that all of her children and many of her grandchildren had earned university degrees and pursued post-secondary education. She volunteered for a number of years, teaching English and math to new residents of Toronto.
She also believed in the importance of being able to say yes to new experiences. She believed that no one should miss out on an adventure because they couldn't do something. And because of this, she lived many years on a horse farm, although she was allergic to the animals. She spent most afternoons driving to and from activities, including ski, swimming, and riding lessons, and spent every March Break making lunches and organizing Crams onto ski hills for lessons.
Crafting was always a big part of her life and she was a very prolific maker. Early on she was taught to smock by Grace L. Knott. She was a sewer, knitter, potter, embroiderer, quilter, weaver, sculptor, beader and basket maker. She enjoyed learning the process and acquiring tools and supplies. She was delighted to meet other crafters and gifted many of her creations to family and others. Beverley took the time to inspire her grandchildren in making and creating as well, showing those interested how to spin, weave, make baskets and more, while also encouraging access to her many tools and supplies to explore their own creativity.
Beverley lived the last 15 years of her life at Belmont House in Toronto. She made many wonderful friends and kept busy with bingo calling, saying grace and banking. She will be greatly missed. Special thanks to the staff of Belmont House, especially the nurses, support workers and caregivers on 5 West, who cared for her during a challenging short illness.
There will not be a service of remembrance at this time, as per her wishes. If desired, donations may be made to the Belmont House Foundation, 55 Belmont Street, Toronto M5R 1R1.
