Linda Murray
Remembering Beverly,
As a young child, when a year difference in ages was significant, I was in awe of my older cousin, Beverly (Bev). She was a born leader, and we eagerly awaited her direction, especially leading us in the shows she created for us cousins to perform for our parents at my Grandma Soderberg’s house in New Jersey. For years we were the Mouseketeers, knowing all the lyrics to the songs. Bev would break out laughing while directing us and we shared her infectious delight.
Our families often shared summer vacations at Becker’s in the Adirondacks. During our teenage years we flirted shamelessly with other guests and the paid staff, usually older colleges students. I was heartbroken the year she “stole” my first boyfriend of the previous summer. He was captivated by her
vivacious, infectious energy and beauty.
Throughout the years in New Jersey, our families continued to celebrate Christmas Eve together. During my sophomore year Beverly introduced me to a friend of her then current boyfriend. This friend needed a date for a formal gala at the Waldorf in New York City and I was delighted to be his escort. (This did not really make up for her taking my teenage heartthrob!)
The year Bev graduated from college, and I was entering my senior year, she drove me to the Lake Placid Club in the Adirondack Mountains. I had been hired for the summer as a waitress. Impulsively Bev asked if they needed another waitress, and they at once hired her! We had a wonderful summer! As two of the oldest college students of both the wait and kitchen staffs, we were bold and fearless! We both had a crush on the handsome lifeguard and casually dated him a few times. Later that summer I met Jamie
at the club. We were married a year later, so Bev was the first family member to meet him.
Bev was one of my bridesmaids, a loving aunt to my baby daughter, Elise, and less often my son, Bryan, after her move to San Diego. I stayed in touch with Bev in the late 70s and 80s when my company opened a branch in Rancho Bernardo, north of San Diego. I made trips there several times a year and
saw Beverly and my cousin Barbara at every visit. When she moved to Tierra Santa, I met Mike and stayed with them, and later Kim. Bev was absolutely thrilled when they were able to adopt Kim. She always wanted children and loved them all, as her teaching career shows.
When Bryan moved to San Diego after college for his job, he got to know Bev, Mike, and Kim well while staying with them until he found housing. (I know Kim has plenty of stories about Bryan!).
The last time I stayed with Bev and Mike I detected the first signs of her memory loss. The last time I saw her was at Kim’s wedding.
Beverly will always be in my heart as a very dear cousin, friend, inspiration and vivacious spirit.
Linda Watjen Murray