The death has occurred in England of long-time Bermuda resident Mrs. Bea Stott, who founded, and for many years ran, the Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children's thrift store, the Bargain Box, on Serpentine Road.

Born in Goole, Yorkshire, England — a place she described as "the last place God created" — in 1920, Mrs. Stott spent the last few years of her life in the land of her birth, surrounded by family. She was 88 at the time of her death.

Mrs. Stott came to Bermuda via the Phillipines in 1961 with her then-husband David and their three children, Duncan, David and Moira. Soon afterwards, she immersed herself in charity work, and devoted her life to helping others.

An avid volunteer for the Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children, Mrs. Stott founded the Bargain Box 40 years ago as a fund-raiser for its work.

Over the years, she raised over to $1 million "in nickels, dimes and quarters" for the registered charity, and in 1982 received was recognised with the Queen's Certificate.

Mrs. Stott was also a great supporter of the arts, and opened her home for many cast parties, be they for local events or touring companies.

In recognition of her decades of support and work on behalf of ballet in Bermuda — she served several times as chairman of the Bermuda Ballet Association, and was a co-founder of the Bermuda Civic Ballet — she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bermuda Arts Council.

Mrs. Stott was honoured with the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour in 1982 for her work on behalf of the Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children. She also served on the board of the Salvation Army, and was a Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Divorced in 1968, and following the granting of Bermuda status, the busy mother of three converted her Pembroke home, 'Strathisla', into a bed and breakfast establishment to help support herself and her children. She then built up an enviable reputation for her fine English breakfasts and overall hospitality, with countless guests returning again and again to partake of both.

When, in later years, running the guest house became too much for her, Mrs. Stott sold the property, and concentrated on running her beloved Bargain Box until her return to England in 2004.

Left to mourn her loss are Mrs. Stott's three children: David, Duncan and Moira; their respective spouses, Coral, Susan and Lindsay, grandchildren Gillian, Douglas, Olivia and Michael, and great-grandson Ethan.

A funeral service is scheduled for January 24 at Christ Church, Warwick.