Beatrice “Bea” Harrington, age 84 of Butler, Missouri passed away on October 19, 2021, fortified with the sacraments of the church, at her home. A private family Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Butler. Burial will follow in Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma.
There will be no visitation. Services under the direction of Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or Giving Fore Living. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.
She was born on March 21, 1937 in Glasgow, Scotland, the daughter of Robert Boris McLean and Mary McGowan McLean.
Bea grew up in Goven, a riverside district in Glasgow, Scotland, the oldest of four children. She attended the School of Saint Anthony for twelve years. At age 19 she went into the work force in an office setting and then a factory. At age 24 she immigrated to the United States of America and lived in Scarsdale, New York and worked as a nanny for an affluent family for a year. Bea then moved to New York City and worked in the then AT&T building as an elevator operator. She shared an apartment with several young women that had also moved to the USA from Scotland. Bea always said that “she was very proud to be born in Scotland and loved her home country, but she chose to become an American. America is the greatest country in the world”. While living in NYC, she also began taking business classes. In 1964, Bea moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and then eventually Yukon, Oklahoma to live with her sister Ann and brother-in-law Bob and their two young sons. Bea continued to take business classes, while also working first as a waitress at the Lady Classen café, and then at the John A. Brown department store in the Notions department.
In 1965, Bea was introduced to Walter J. Harrington, one of her brother-in law Bob’s best friends, while he was visiting Oklahoma. The two began dating and were married on June 25, 1966. Shortly after the wedding the two moved to Fairbanks, Alaska for a year for Walter’s job with General Electric, which was contracted by NASA for satellite guidance systems. Their ‘honeymoon’ year in Alaska provided many tales and stories that were shared with their family and children for years to come. Bea was a member of her local Beta Sigma Phi sorority, played Bunko, and volunteered in the Yukon Public School system as a “Helping Hand” giving vision screening tests to children. She was recognized and honored in 1995 for 25 years of service. In the 1980’s, Bea received her Real Estate license and worked as an agent for some time. This was something she was very proud of. Bea, along with her sister Ann, managed to find many Scottish people living in Oklahoma. There were many parties, and gatherings throughout the years with singing, dancing and the occasional bagpiper to liven things up.
In 2008, Bea moved to Butler, Missouri to be closer to family. She joined the local Beta Sigma Phi chapter, the Bates County Career Women organization, and was a Bates County Memorial Hospital auxiliary volunteer. She loved to be involved with the community and be on the go. Bea loved all of her grandchildren and enjoyed bragging about each and every one of them. She enjoyed travelling to Arizona to visit her family, and attended many local sporting games, dance recitals, and events. One of her favorite past times was trying her luck at the lottery and purchasing scratcher tickets. She was well known at the local Casey’s and Bear Stop convenience shops. Bea’s gift of gab, Scottish accent, positivity, and ability to talk to anyone, made her unique and unforgettable.
Bea was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 36 years, Walter J. Harrington in 2002, two brothers, Robert and John; and a nephew, Robert “Bobby” McLean. She is survived by her daughter Susan Miller and husband David of Butler, Missouri, and son Charles Harrington and wife Melissa of Glendale, Arizona; one sister, Ann McLean of Phoenix, Arizona; six grandchildren, Bryce Miller, Blaire Miller, Brooke Miller, Colby Harrington, Chase Harrington and Caitlyn Harrington; and extended family and numerous friends.
