Bringing Back Beverly

Bringing Back Beverly 

September 10, 2024

A solid, long-term member of our church died recently. I knew she was ready to go, was in hospice care, and was surrounded by the love and dedication of her family. I saw her as a pillar of our church, who frequently spoke up with prayers, pertinent questions at church business meetings, and sweet smiles for all. For most of us at our church, Beverly was someone who made a point of warmly greeting newcomers and welcoming them to our smallish congregation.

I had volunteered to help with ushering for her memorial service. It was Saturday afternoon and we arrived early: my husband to help park cars, and me serving as an usher.

But I did not expect to cry as soon as I walked in the door of the church.

There, lined up on a table were dozens of small glass jars of party-mix, topped by a lovely golden lid.

And just like that, Beverly was there with us in our midst, and, if memories hold, she will be there/here for years to come.  

Others in attendance that day were also gob-smacked with welling tears and the instant memory those jars brought back of Beverly.

You see, every December, several weeks before Christmas, there were sweet little jars filled with yummy party mix in our church mailboxes. She didn’t need to tell us they were from her. It was a tradition as sure as singing carols or opening presents.

Our family usually munched on that special treat on our way home from church, and saved the rest to enjoy closer to Christmas. It was not Christmas without those jars. And dutifully, we all (mostly) returned the empty jars to Beverly, so she would have them to use the following year.

We will miss her, but not because of the party mix.

Beverly was quite a bit more than that. She took care of her mother in her mother’s last years. She graduated from Madison College, with a degree in biology, and earned a Master’s and PhD from two additional universities. She was a professor of biology until 1997 when she retired, and enjoyed exploring the world with friends. She also took care of her grandsons five days a week for their first five years, till they went off to school. You can read more here.

About a year ago, Beverly approached me with a suggestion along the lines of “Wouldn’t it be nice if we had more than members’ names and birth/death dates on the wooden plaques which line the walls of our hall at church?” I think she was approaching me as a writer (she read my blog regularly, until managing a computer got too difficult). At a church retreat, we began brainstorming some of the epitaphs which might tell generations to come who someone was and what they did with their lives or what they were known for. We have a long way to go in creating such a book or manual where pages can be added, but I like the idea and will continue to plug away.

Beverly’s son-in-law gave a beautiful and comprehensive description of much that Beverly was to our congregation and her family. Mike ended his tribute talking about her passion for life and generosity. “Since we will all die someday,” he encouraged us to live life now to the fullest. Then he closed with a good reminder, “Let’s live it up.”   

A “cookie cutter” gift from Beverly years ago for my daughters.

What special memories do you have of persons in your family, church, or community? Post them here!

How can we remember our loved ones?