“When my Dad was old enough he went to work in the mine, too.”

Like her mother, Sharon [Clarkson] Cathey was born in Cumberland Hospital and raised in Bevan. Her parents, Jim and Ruby Clarkson, had six children: Bobby, Sharon, Marilyn, Heather, Ronald, and Allan. Sharon has vivid memories of the neighbours running to help each other in times of need and sorrow. She grew up understanding that no one is ever alone; someone is always willing to help.

Sharon’s Story

“My Grandma and Grandpa Clarkson moved from Nanaimo to Bevan so Grampa could work in the mine. There were very few cars in Bevan at that time, and they had one of the first ones in town.

My grandfather, Alexander Robertson, was killed in the explosion at No. 4 mine in Cumberland, in 1923. When my Dad was old enough he went to work in the mine, too.

“Bevan was a family, and when there was an event of some kind everybody was invited. Weddings were always a big thing. Ma Coates baked the wedding cakes, and there were shivarees for the kids, coins thrown - pennies and nickels. I remember somebody had green for a theme colour. Everything was green - even the bread!