Kenneth Beanland
 to the grace of God as seen in his life

18th Nov 1924 – 5th Jan 2006

Something of the life of Kenneth Beanland

Link to a Gallery of 
his many paintings

Link to Rawdon Booklet
that Ken helped to write

We are sad to announce the death of
Kenneth Beanland on 5th Jan 2006
after struggling with cancer, diagnosed 3 years ago.

Following are some readings and ministry from his funeral which was held at Rawdon Crematorium on Monday 16th. January 2006

From Joanna Guise

Many years ago, I had the great honour of working alongside Ken as his co-clerk at Rawdon Meeting, through a period of considerable upheaval, and very quickly found an amazing person beneath the quiet, rather shy gentle man that he was.

His questioning made me think about problems and then think again, his gentle but very firm probing made me see any difficulties far more accurately than I would have done on my own and his loving support gave me the courage to continue to serve the Rawdon Quaker Community.

In the following years we became close friends and I and my family discovered he was a talented artist and a local historian with a fantastic memory for detail.

An avid reader and listener to Radio 4, meant that he was knowledgeable about a huge range of topics.

Always a spiritual seeker in the true sense of the word, he read the bible cover to cover, twice a year and shared with me different translations, offering me tremendous spiritual support in many ways.

Kenneth was born locally and after a short time in the war as ground crew on a Scottish airfield near the famous Bladnock Distillery, he spent many years in Yorkshire as a painter decorator, gaining great insights into the activities of local dignitaries. In that occupation he had a serious accident and subsequently worked in the print-room of a Leeds Building Society.

A non-judgemental man, with a droll sense of humour and sharp observation, everyone was treated in the same loving way, everyone was made welcome, and many here today know they are saying goodbye to an attentive, caring friend.

His honesty and compassion shone like a beacon. Latterly he has suffered considerable grief as so many of his fellow Tuesday day visitors at Wheatfields Hospice died, but he loved going there and how grateful he was for all their friendship and the staff’s expertise in helping him with his cancer.

He showed immense courage whilst struggling with pain, sickness and growing weakness and felt very much at home at Moor Lodge Care Centre . The faith of the staff and their wonderful nursing skills helped him during his last days.

I shall miss him dearly, and I can thank God for the Grace of God as seen in the life of Our Friend Kenneth Beanland.

Short Ministry by Nancy Nott

I shall miss Ken, he always seemed to stop the draught of life

From Ministry by Walter Craven

Walter had known Kenneth for many years and had introduced him to Friends.

A loving and kind man, he was always searching as to the purpose of life.

Life! I know not what thou art,
But know that thou and I must part;
And when, or how, or where we met
I own to me's a secret yet

Full poem by Anna Lætitia Barbauldy 

 

From Ministry by Lois Gilling

The gist was that Ken had, like many of us, struggled with his beliefs but he did know that without faith we are nothing.

 

Read by Jo Jones of Wheatfields Hospice - He is Gone

You can shed tears that he is gone
Or you can smile because he has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on

David Harkins

 

Life! I Know Not What Thou Art

     

    LIFE! I know not what thou art,
    But know that thou and I must part;
    And when, or how, or where we met
    I own to me's a secret yet.
       Life! We've been long together
    Through pleasant and through cloudy weather,
    'Tis hard to part when friends are dear, --
    Perhaps 'twill cost a sigh, a tear;
    -- Then steal away, give little warning,
       Choose thine own time;
    Say not Good Night, -- but in some brighter clime
       Bid me Good Morning.
    Anna Lætitia Barbauld

Something of the Life of Kenneth Beanland

Kenneth was born in the Yeadon area and after a short time in the war as ground crew on a Scottish airfield near the famous Bladnock Distillery, he spent many years in Yorkshire as a painter decorator, gaining great insights into the activities of local dignitaries. In that occupation he had a serious accident and subsequently worked in the print-room of a Leeds Building Society. He was a talented artist, particularly enjoying oils, and a local historian with a fantastic memory for detail.

He was a rather shy and gentle man, and a member of the Rawdon Quaker Community.

An avid reader and listener to Radio 4, meant that he was knowledgeable about a huge range of topics.

Always a spiritual seeker in the true sense of the word, he read the bible cover to cover, twice a year and sharing with others different translations, offering tremendous support in many ways.

A non-judgemental man, with a droll sense of humour and sharp observation, everyone was treated in the same loving way, everyone was made welcome.

His honesty and compassion shone like a beacon. Latterly he has suffered considerable grief as so many of his fellow Tuesday day visitors at Wheatfields Hospice died, but he loved going there and how grateful he was for all their friendship and the staff’s expertise in helping him with his cancer.