Aileen Bell Beeny

Aileen Bell Beeny, 87, formerly of Sheldon, Mo., passed away Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, with her children at her side. She fought a long battle following a stroke in 2003. Aileen was a resident of St. Mary's Manor in Blue Springs, Mo. She was born Feb. 13, 1922, in Washington, Kan., the oldest daughter of Charles and Flora Nutter.

Aileen graduated from Sheldon High School and was a member of the First Christian Church in Sheldon, Mo. She married L. Gerald Beeny on Dec. 21, 1940, in Arcadia, Kan. She and Gerald retired in 1981 and continued to live in Sheldon for several years, and spent time near Stockton Lake every chance they got. In 1997, they relocated to the Stockton Lake area and enjoyed those several years before moving to Nevada.

Aileen enjoyed so much during her lifetime. She loved to go fishing with Gerald and they spent many hours on the lake at Stockton, along a creek bank or fishing in lakes and ponds in the Sheldon area. She never met a crappie she didn't like. In many ways she lived the life of an artist. She loved to paint and draw; she loved flower arranging and often wrote poetry and prose mainly for her own enjoyment; she was a fabulous cook, always by taste -- she wasn't one to follow recipes as there was no challenge in that.

She so enjoyed bird watching, studying them and feeding them. She crocheted numerous afghans for family and friends. She was tremendously generous, baking cookies and giving gifts to those with whom she was acquainted. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and she so enjoyed sharing that time with family and friends. The single word to sum up her attitude about life was "fun"; she was always doing something on the ornery side. While living in Nevada in the later years of her life she decided she should dress up for Halloween, and with her granddaughter, Amy, and Gerald went out for a Mexican dinner dressed as a witch, all in black with her skeleton earrings.

She loved the attention she got and everybody that saw her got a good laugh. She was the best Mom anybody could have and instilled a sense that playfulness was the best part of life. She absolutely loved her grandchildren and they loved her right back. She was a great friend and cared about the people around her. Gerald and Aileen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in December 2000. He preceded her in death April 24, 2001.

Aileen is survived by her two children, Dennie Williams and her husband Earl of Blue Springs, Mo., and Gary Beeny and his wife Carol of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren, Paul Williams and wife Heather of Oakland, Calif., Amy Peņa and husband Mart'n of Marshfield, Mo., Erin Moore and husband Caige of Los Angeles, Calif, Chris Beeny and wife Rikke of Sydney, Australia; and two great-grandchildren, Eliott and Nova Williams. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Neil and Norman; and two sisters, Marjorie and Phyllis.

Visitation will be Sunday, Oct. 25, at 2 p.m., at the First Christian Church in Sheldon followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. with pastor Danny Doolin officiating. Burial will be at the Sheldon Cemetery. Friends can also pay their respects at the Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada, the days prior to the service.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to Crossroads Hospice and St. Mary's Manor in care of Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington St., Nevada, MO 64772.