BEDELIA BISHOP

With a mix of sadness and happiness, we announce Bedelia Bishop decided to leave us at the age of 78 on October 23, 2024, and join her husband, Tony Bishop, who had passed on the same date 2 years before. 

Bedelia was born in 1946 in Chatham, England and then given up for adoption to her biological mom’s sister and husband, Joyce and Tom Cowland. She was raised in England until meeting the love of her life, Tony Bishop and marrying in 1965. The two newly weds had two children in England, Anne and Paul, and then set off for an adventure emigrating to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1968 and had one more son, David in 1969.

The family continued to grow over the years because Bedelia started caring for foster children. Approximately 40 children moved in and out of her home over 12 years receiving the practical, loving kindness Bedelia was well known for. 

Bedelia was involved with the Catholic church until around 1981 when she branched off to explore spirituality and self awareness. Her and Tony had all kinds of adventures when they sold all their belongings and travelled to live in Findhorn, an intentional community in Scotland. When they moved back to Manitoba, they sought opportunities to live communally and closer to nature, building an off-grid home near Lac du Bonnet. Always open to where the spirit would take them, Bedelia and Tony later moved to Paisley, Ontario for a few years until the call of family and friends brought them back to Winnipeg. Bedelia’s main life focus was working on being a Human Being, rather than a human doing. 

Bedelia was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in 1982 and made the best of her situation as her health slowly declined over the years. Tony cared for her until  2018 when Bedelia moved into Riverview Health Centre Long Term Care Facility. She felt so grateful and fortunate for the exemplary care she received from staff attending to her declining condition, both from Home Care and Riverview 3 West. She found strength in working with her abilities instead of fighting her disabilities and trusting the flow of her life was exactly where she was meant to be.

With a recent diagnosis of further decline that would affect her ability to eat and talk, Bedelia chose a medically assisted death through MAiD. Bedelia was at peace with her decision and felt very fortunate to have the opportunity to leave on her own terms before her quality of life was threatened beyond what she could endure. She was looking forward to reuniting with Tony and continuing on the next adventure.

Bedelia is survived by daughter: Anne (Fereidon) Mahdi; sons: Paul (Sophie) Bishop, David (Christine) Bishop; grandchildren: Amanda Cullen, Aurora Lindsay, Jason (Amanda) Bishop, Alicia (Trevor) Penner, and Katherine Bishop; great grandchildren: Zoria Cullen, Conner, and Jon Bishop. 

All of the family expresses heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Riverview 3 West for providing such attentive care for the past six years. Because of her planned death, Bedelia had the opportunity to say goodbye and celebrate her life with family and friends, so a memorial service is not planned. If you’re so inclined, the family requests donations to MS Research and Riverview Health Centre.

Bedelia’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

​

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

​