Beverly Estes' Obituary
Beverly Gail (Hill) Estes passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on September 1, 2019 at the age of 87. She was born on February 12, 1932 in Tacoma, Washington to Walter E. and Bonnie L. Hill. She grew up in Summit, on South Canyon Road, attending Collins Elementary School and Puyallup High School, graduating in 1950. When her folks moved from the Summit area to Soap Lake in Eastern WA, Beverly stayed behind and began working at Tacoma Bell Telephone as an operator, from 1950-1955. She met Dr. Leonard E. Estes as he was beginning his dental practice. They were married on September 24, 1955 and spent the next 51 joyful years together at Browns Point, enjoying the spectacular views, the activity on Commencement Bay and hosting events and celebrations for family and friends.
Beverly was actively involved in many organizations. She was a member of the Hyada Park Orthopedic Guild and the Browns Point Improvement Club where she and Len helped put on many events, including the “Original Browns Point Salmon Bake.” She was a proud Puyallup High School Alumni and spent countless hours tracking and keeping the records for her treasured Viking “Class of ‘50” classmates, helping to organize reunions and gatherings. Bev was one of the early women volunteer firefighters for the Browns Point/Dash Point Fire Department. She did everything from directing traffic to driving the fire truck. Many a family dinner at their home was “put on hold” when the fire alarm radio went off… she would jump into her fire-fighting gear and out the door… “See you later!!” Bev loved the work with her Fire Department family so much she decided to run for and was elected to the office of Fire Commissioner, where she served for several years. Bev and Len enjoyed traveling very much and saw many parts of the world either while attending a dental convention, traveling as part of a group or on their own. They spent many happy hours with their friends from the Olympic Classic T-Bird Club, touring the countryside in their ’55 convertibles. Bev and Len touched many lives in their involvement at the Tacoma Rescue Mission. Bev loved family, friends, butterflies, gardening, her pink roses and especially her favorite color blue!
After being married there, Beverly was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma for many years and later attended Marine View Presbyterian Church. We expect there was a grand celebration in Heaven as Bev and Len were reunited and he welcomed his beloved Beverly Home!
Beverly will be missed by her sister Bonnie Anderson, niece Christine (Darren) Stainbrook, nephew Mitchell (Brenda) Anderson, nephew Bruce Anderson, great nephews, niece and their families, Jordan (Tiana) Vint, Michael (Courtney) Vint, Debra (Cameron) Holcomb, Eric Anderson, Gaard Anderson and Jacob Anderson, along with numerous other relatives and friends. We wish to thank her other “family” at Kensington Gardens in Gig Harbor for their dedicated care and kindness to Bev and to us over the last several years. We are forever grateful.
Services will be held Saturday September 14, 2019 at 11:30 am in the Mountain View Funeral Home Celebration of Life Center in the Aspen Chapel. Following the graveside service, a reception will be held in the Oak Room. Donations to the Tacoma Rescue Mission or your favorite charity are appreciated.
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