TROZIER, Beatrice

Beatrice Kelly Tozier died Friday, June 15th in Colorado Springs; she was 83. Bea was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on October 20, 1928. As a young girl, she moved with her parents and siblings to Southern California where she grew up. She worked as a teenager during World War II, and even was a "Rosie the Riveter" for a short time. After graduating from high school, she met the love of her life, Allan Tozier, where they both worked. They were married on November 24, 1946. After Allan was reactivated in 1950, Bea began a long life of service to her country as an Army Wife, and over 40 years as a Volunteer with the American Red Cross. She spent thousands of hours helping active duty and military dependents at a number of Army bases where her husband was stationed. Some of the postings included Ft. Lewis, Washington; Ft. Benning, Georgia; Rothwestern and Herzogenaurach, Germany; and Ft. Wolters, Texas. After Allan retired from the Army in 1966, Bea continued to volunteer with the Red Cross at the Inland Empire Chapter of the Red Cross, in Ontario, California. She worked several hurricane disasters, including Hurricane Camille and Hurricane Celia on the Gulf Coast and earthquake disasters including San Fernando in 1971 and Northridge (California) in 1994. Through the years, Bea made hundreds of friends through her service and social activities. She served as a Girl Scout Leader, was involved with the Parent-Teacher Association, and served in other capacities as passion and duty called. In 2004, Bea moved to Colorado Springs to be close to family. She made many more friends in Colorado Springs through the Red Hats, Bunco, Military Officers Association, Gold Star Wives, 55+ Group at Woodman Valley Chapel, Joy in the Morning Bible Study Group, her neighbors and others. She also enjoyed the companionship of her black cat Inky, who few saw but all knew. Bea is preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Colonel Allan W. Tozier. She is survived by her daughter, Linda (Bob) LaFrenierre; sons Donald (Jane) Tozier and Thomas (Pam) Tozier, niece Lorraine Cohen, and Grandchildren Jeff, Tamara, Adam, Brian, David, Jessica, Sean, John, and Tony. She also is survived by eight great-grandchildren, her sister Blooma, and Inky the cat. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, June 28th, 1:00 p.m. in the Connections area of Woodman Valley Chapel. She will be interred with her husband at Williamette National Cemetary in Portland, Oregon on June 28th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Red Cross or the Pikes Peak Chapter of the Humane Society. A special thank you to the staff at Memorial Hospital who cared for her the last week of her life; their kindness and attention are appreciated beyond words. . Published in The Gazette on June 24, 2012