In Memorium for Beatrice “Bea” Ann Haapanen

Beatrice “Bea” Ann Haapanen, 75, died on Sunday, July 16, 2017 at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago.

Bea was born December 5, 1941 in Milwaukee, WI.  In 1962 she received her nursing degree from Grant Hospital School of Nursing and in 1986 her Bachelor of Science degree from DePaul.  In 1995 Bea earned her Master of Science in Public Health from University of Illinois.  She retired in 2000 from University of Illinois Hospital after 33 years of service and after retirement worked for Hospice at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago for seven years.

Bea was an active participant in the Finnish American community in the Lake Worth area, encouraging others of Finnish descent to remember and celebrate their Finnish heritage.  She was involved in research on this community for over two decades. A life member of the Finlandia Foundation Florida Chapter, Bea served as President from 2010/2011 and on the Board from 2008 to 2010.  In 2014 Bea co-authored, compiled and published a history of the Finlandia Foundation Florida Chapter 1954-2014 Celebrating 60 Years.  Bea was a founding member and president of the recently established Finnish Heritage Society of South Florida, a 501c3 organization dedicated to documenting the history of the Finnish community in Lake-Worth-Lantana Florida.

Bea was a member of the Church of the Ascension, Chicago and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lake Worth and had numerous friends in the community. Bea will be remembered for her friendships, generosity, intellect, and kindness; and as a consummate book collector and reader, opera lover, traveler, and her work with Habitat for Humanity International.

Survivors include her brother Rick (Lindy) Haapanen; sister-in-law Kathy Haapanen; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her brother Jerry Haapanen; and father and mother Verner “Ben” and Irene (nee Sironen) Haapanen.

A memorial services was held on Saturday, July 22 at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waukegan.  Memorials can be sent to:  Finlandia University, Finnish American Heritage Center, c/o  Advancement Office, 601 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI  49930, or The Church of the Ascension, 1133 North LaSalle Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610-2601, or Habitat for Humanity International (habitat.org).

Memorial service will be held on January 27 at 6:00 pm at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 100 North Palmway, Lake Worth, Florida

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