Former Optimist owner celebrates 100th birthday

She beat the newspaper her family had a significant part in its history to a milestone birthday last week.

Longtime Tsawwassen resident Bea Bexley celebrated her 100th birthday on Sept. 23 with a celebration at the Waterford seniors living community. Among the many well wishes was a personal visit from Delta Mayor George Harvie who presented her with a special birthday greeting plaque. She also received recognition from Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Delta MP Carla Qualtrough and Delta South MLA Ian Paton.

Ironically, the Delta Optimist celebrates its 100th birthday in 2022. Bea’s late husband Ernie Bexley purchased 50 percent of the paper back in 1964 when it was known as the Ladner Optimist. He eventually was exclusive owner and it became a true family operation with Bea and their two children Peter and Lynn all involved.

During the next 25 years, the independent paper would thrive, increasing to three print editions a week in South Delta and an exclusive North Delta print edition. Bex Publishing also ventured outside the municipality, with the launching of the Richmond Times and featured as many as 50 employees at one point.

It was in the 1980s when the company moved from Ladner Village to a bigger location at Ladner Trunk Road and Linden Drive where a townhouse complex now stands.

“It was just a lot of hard work. That’s what I remember the most,” recalled Bea. “It not only gave us the opportunity to grow the company, but hire many more (local) people.”

The family sold the business to Lower Mainland Publishing in 1990 and Bea recalls enjoying the retirement years at the family vacation home in Maui before her husband passed away in 1998 at the age of 82.

Bea has remained a fixture in the community since, remarkably living independently in the family’s longtime Beach Grove home and driving to her favourite local stores until she was 98.

She can also say she has lived through a world pandemic after being part of a significant outbreak at the Waterford late last year that resulted in nearly 60 positive COVID-19 cases, between residents and staff. Fortunately, she was asymptomatic and spent five weeks isolated in her apartment, relying on the phone and Facetime to communicate with her family over the Christmas holidays.

The family thanks the Waterford and Bria Communities for their efforts in hosting the birthday celebration last week.