Earlene Reeves beckley 26March2006

Earlene Reeves Beckley

From: "Donald W. Hill"
To: class54
Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2006

Subject: FYI Message from Seth Hunt concerning Earlene Reeves Beckley

This came to me from Sharon(Beck) Detraz
via Seth Hunt................................Don

Hi Gang,

I received a call from Judy Jaros McLaren this afternoon in which she informed me that Earlene Reeves Beckley died in her sleep last night as a result of a massive stroke. As many of you know, she had been afflicted with some heart problems just before our reunion. That’s why she and Joe did not attend. She received an “electrical shock treatment” a few months ago to correct an irregular heart beat. She called me a few days after her treatment and said that it worked—her heart was now beating properly and she felt really good. Judy had been keeping in close contact with her—in fact, she had talked to Earlene at about 9:15 Saturday night and all seemed well. Earlene obviously suffered little or no pain and from some of our recent conversations, she was well prepared to meet her Maker. Earlene had a strong faith and close relationship with God. In the last few months she sent many e-mails that justified her beliefs and feelings—and a great sense of humor.

Earlene had a great life and really contributed to society. She and Joe made a fine couple and raised a great family. Pray for them during these sad times. She will be greatly missed by many people. Earlene was special to me—she was my very first girl friend in junior high—the first girl I ever kissed. I have joked with her and Joe, “Who knows what may have happened if she wouldn’t have met that dapper Joe!”

Seth

Obituary

Beckley , Earlene Sunday, 26 Mar 2006

South Whidbey Record South Whidbey WA

On Sunday, March 26, 2006 we said goodbye to Earlene Beckley , beloved wife, mother, grandmother, treasured friend, inspiration and confidant. She will always be alive in our hearts as we remember all the ways she touched our lives.

Earlene loved life and enjoyed everything about her family and friends. She loved laughter, camping, BBQs, gardening, mushroom hunting, crab fishing, baseball games, laughter, e-mail, shopping, Costco, laughter, visits with friends old and new at Toby’s Tavern. Oh, and did I mention laughter?

Earlene was the best listener ever. It never mattered who you were, how well you knew her or what you were going through. Whether it was happy or sad, Earlene listened and was always a source of strength and an inspiration.

Earlene was born Sept. 20, 1937 in Meeker, Colorado to Jane and Leo Reeves. She graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1955. Earlene married Joe Beckley, her high School sweetheart, on Nov. 24, 1956.

Their first daughter, Robin, was born in 1957. Earlene got her registered nurse degree from St. Mark’s Hospital School of Nursing in Salt Lake City , Utah on Sept. 11, 1959. Later, two more daughters joined the Beckley family, Jana in 1964 and Danette in 1965.

The Beckleys moved to Coupeville in 1968 where Earlene worked for a year at Whidbey General Hospital and then spent the next 25 years working as a public health nurse in the Island County Healt h Department.

Some of the “hats” Earlene wore as a public health nurse included being a home health nurse, the communicable disease nurse, immunization program coordinator, school nurse at all three Whidbey School districts and jail nurse for the Island County Sheriff’s Office. Earlene also acted as a SIDS nurse and put her compassion to work as she went out to homes to visit with families who had lost infants to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Sports medicine was also a love Earlene had and so she shared this love with the Coupeville School District working as a sports trainer.

God shared the gift of Earlene with all of us and left us with lots of love in our hearts and memories of this wonderful life. Earlene is survived by her husband Joe Beckley; daughter Robin Smith (grandchildren Tara and Taylor Smith); daughter Jana Bouzek and husband Matt (grandsons Jase and Jett); daughter Danette Beckley and husband Stew Drake; and her brother Bob Reeves of Grand Junction , Colo.

Last but not by any means least, Earlene leaves friends too numerous to list in the pages of this paper. (You know who you are)

Memorial gifts can be made in Earlene’s name to: SIDS Foundation of Washington, 4649 Sunnyside Avenue N, Suite 348 , Seattle , WA 98103 .

There will be a celebration of Earlene’s life at Toby’s Tavern in Coupeville from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 9 with all friends of the family invited.