One of Canada’s oldest blood donors finds ways to give back

Beatrice Janyk, 94, regularly donates blood and makes rosaries for sisters
By Agnieszka Krawczynski

While her neighbours are using walkers or dozing in oversized chairs, great-grandmother Beatrice Janyk is still on her feet finding ways to make a difference in the world.

“I never just sit,” says the energetic 94-year-old, who introduces herself to everyone as Granny Bea. “I’m always doing something.”

Granny Bea lives in a cozy retirement home in Coquitlam and is one of Canada’s oldest blood donors, travelling to a clinic every 56 days to give blood.

“I’m so grateful I can give,” she said. “My blood can save a baby’s life. Isn’t that wonderful?” Over the years, she’s donated more than 20 gallons of blood in Bellingham, Wash., and at least that much in Canada.

David Patterson of Canadian Blood Services confirmed that Granny Bea is one of Canada’s oldest blood donors.

“We’re thrilled to know that she can still donate,” he said.

Between blood donation visits, Granny Bea spends some of her free time making dozens of rosaries a week for the Sisters of the Child Jesus.

“My pliers are in my hand, always. I have a nice callus there,” she told The B.C. Catholic as she pulled out a string of bright blue beads.

She twists the wire into place and counts out 59 beads while watching television or praying for her “dear ones,” whose photos are all over her walls, counters, and refrigerator doors. It takes Granny Bea 1.5 hours to complete a rosary.

The Sisters of the Child Jesus, who supply the wire and beads, use the rosaries in missions all over the world.

“We send them to our sisters in third-world countries for them to give to the children they are teaching or the people they visit in poorer areas,” said Sister Denece Billesberger, SEJ. “It is our way of supporting their mission.”

Granny Bea’s rosaries, packed 50-60 at a time in shoeboxes, have been sent to Argentina, Burkina Faso, Chile, Ecuador, France, and Vietnam.

Sister Denece said Granny Bea, who began making rosaries for the sisters at least 11 years ago, is currently their sole rosary maker. She estimates they have sent a few thousand of Granny Bea’s rosaries to their missions.

“She is doing a fantastic job. We’re so grateful that we can continue helping our sisters throughout the world.”

Granny Bea learned how to make rosaries in the 1950s, when she lived in Honeymoon Bay on Vancouver Island with her husband, Bill, and their three sons.

“Oh, were we ever in love!” said Granny Bea, who got married at the age of 19 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in 1942.

Her “dear Bill” died in 2005. She still often travels to visit her three sons and their families in Whistler, Gibsons, and Bellingham. Two of her grandchildren, Britt and Michael Janyk, competed as alpine skiers in the 2010 Olympics.

Granny Bea wears bright colours and walks with a hop in her step around her cozy apartment. She pauses at a Nativity scene on her kitchen counter. “I love baby Jesus. He’s our best friend, isn’t he?”

Catholicism has been a big part of her life since Granny Bea was a young girl growing up with adoptive parents in Alberta.

“In the middle of nowhere, near St. Paul’s in Alberta, I was the seventh child coming into the world. My mother died having me,” she said.

“My father was devastated. A couple on the next farm came to my father and said: ‘You have five girls and two boys. Could we adopt your little curly-headed boy?’ My father said: ‘No. If you want to help, take the baby.’”

Growing up, Beatrice would go to catechism on Saturdays and to Mass on Sundays, even when her adoptive parents did not. “I love the Mass. I love Jesus.”

Now, Granny Bea can’t take herself to the nearest Catholic church, but a priest from Our Lady of Fatima visits her retirement home twice a month. “I feel his great reverence,” she said.

Before the end of the interview, Granny Bea let this reporter in on her secret to a happy, long life: “I’m 49. I turn (my age) around. It’s called attitude. Attitude is so important,” she said.

Also, “be grateful. That’s another thing besides attitude. They go together.”