Beryl Scally Ward
Sept 26 1929 - Feb. 26 2026
Beryl was one of six children born to William Joseph Scally and Gladys (nee Evans) on Monica Road, Birmingham England.
During Operation Pied Piper in 1939 Beryl and her two brothers were evacuated to a farm in Gloucestershire. There, she fell in love with the country, farm life and a special piggy named Sue. At 17 she joined the “Land Army”. Living in barracks and trucked from farm to farm, gangs of young women worked the jobs vacated by men who were off to war.
Married with two young sons, Robert and Kim, Beryl emigrated to Canada and settled in Galt where daughter Carolyn was born. She worked at Newlands, Tiger Brand, CGT, Franklins, and retired from the paint shop night shift at Allen-Bradleys. She enjoyed being her own boss there and was legendary for her production and her muscle car!
She helped form a women’s social group in the early Galt days. She was an active member of the Cambridge seniors bowling league for many years. Beryl later joined a CNIB vision group and helped form a spin off social group as well. She enjoyed many years with her pals at the Cambridge seniors Boost group.
She loved to travel and would head south each year for a family vacation or hop on a bus with her pals for an adventure anytime. She loved nothing more than puttering about her garden in the forest or sitting in the sun on her back deck. Friends were always popping by and the door was always open. Her friend Elaine put it so well. “ She was one of the strongest women I have ever met. Her life story was a study of determination, love, honesty and caring”.
In 2009 she located her dads ancestral family in Ireland and made a family pilgrimage to meet the Mahons at the farm he grew up on. It was a dream come true for her.
Beryl was predeceased by her son Kim in 1981, brothers Peter, Norman and sister Eileen. She leaves behind her son Robert (Sky Weir) and granddaughter Teslin, daughter Carolyn, her two sons Adam (Courtney Nunn), Travis (Leanna Yates) and great grandchildren Ayden and Ellie Mae.
“Grammy Beryl” also leaves behind her adopted family, Sherry and Joe Moco their sons David (Kerry), Kaden, Ella Marie and Kabel, Mark (Ashley) Harlee and Savannah and Adam (Andrew Spice). A very special thanks to Sherry and the Moco family for being there for Mom all these years.
Beryl recently said she was “the last man standing” - the final member of her generation to pass on. Beryl’s remaining English family; Keith Hollis (Val) their three sons and their families. Rita McLaughlin (Colin), daughter Julie and son Paul. Jane Faulkner (Ian Faulkner), son Max and daughter Chloe. Micheal Sparrow (Sona), daughter Tracy (Andy Walker), son Aron and daughter Taylor Jane. Peter and Linda Scally and Chris and Sarah Scally and their kids Joe and Bella. Rachel Obrien. The Irish family; Gerry, Peter and Jim Mahon at Eneghan House, Walsh Island, Tullamore, Brendan Mahon and family in Chicago. Jane Roberts and her family in Pennsylvania will also miss “ Auntie Beryl”.
Thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteers at Lisaard House Hospice who took care of Mom during her final journey. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations are most welcome at Lissard House Hospice, Cambridge Ontario. Beryl chose not to have a service. There will be a gathering in her garden in the spring to honour her life.
Memories and stories welcome robxward@shaw.ca. We will be making a memory book.
Ninety-six years
rested lightly on your shoulders,
as if time itself
had chosen to sit beside you
and listen.
Your hands held maps and stories,
creased like well-loved pages,
and when you smiled
the world felt gentler,
as though it, too, had learned patience from you.
We went out that day,
trees leaning in to hear you speak,
the sky stretched wide and kind.
You sat with such quiet dignity,
a queen in a simple coat,
teaching me without trying to teach.
Wisdom was never loud in you.
It was the steady rhythm
of breath and grace,
the way you waited
for a thought to bloom fully
before offering it.
You showed me
that slowness can be sacred,
that age can shine,
that a life well-lived
does not shout,
it glows.
I carry a small ache now,
a tender guilt
for the days I could not come,
for the final hours I could not hold.
But love does not measure itself
by the clock.
If I had stood at your bedside,
I would have said:
You have given enough.
You have been enough.
You have lit more hearts
than you ever knew.
Perhaps you knew already.
So I will remember you
in the open air,
with trees standing tall
behind you,
with that knowing smile,
the one that said
life is hard
and beautiful
and worth the patience.
You’ll be missed, dear Beryl.
Your wisdom walks with me still.
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