Beatrice "Bea" McMahon, 101, of Baldwinsville, passed away Saturday at Syracuse Home Association, after a seven-year residence at Park Terrace, Radisson. Beatrice Geraldine Caines was born September 15, 1908, in South Onondaga, NY, to Albert and Pansy Nichols Olds Caines. She moved to Sixty Road between Baldwinsville and Phoenix, where she graduated from high school. On October 21, 1928, she married George Thomas McMahon, who predeceased her in 1996. Together, they owned and operated retail businesses in Baldwinsville and Phoenix from 1940 through the mid-1960s, including McMahon's Auto Supply and McMahon's Variety Store. She was a lifelong resident of the Baldwinsville community, where she was a member of First United Methodist Church. To the very end, she was blessed with a keen mind, a kind heart, a gentle spirit and an abiding faith. Asked at age 100 to explain her longevity, she responded simply, "I don't let little things bother me." She was greatly loved and will be deeply missed. Survivors: son, Thomas Albert (Shirley) McMahon of Baldwinsville; grandsons, Andy (Janet) McMahon of Colorado Springs, CO, Tim (Sally) McMahon and Steve (Claire) McMahon of Baldwinsville; great-grandchildren, Michael and Amy McMahon of Colorado, and Holly, Jackson, Amanda, Claire, Eliza and Catherine McMahon, all of Baldwinsville; and a few nephews. Calling hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. at Gates Funeral Home, 29 West Genesee Street, Baldwinsville. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Baldwinsville. Contributions may be made to Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry, c/o First United Methodist Church, 17 West Genesee Street, Baldwinsville, NY 13027.

Published in Syracuse Post Standard on April 12, 2010