Beverley Workman

When reflecting on the life of Beverley Workman, it is easy to see that her loving heart and nurturing spirit laced every step along her lifes journey. She possessed an unwavering faith as her constant companion, her life a reflection of what it means to be a servant of God. With the love of her life by her side for 55 years, Beverley traveled much of the world, yet she was happiest when surrounded by her family that grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A blessing in the lives of those around her, she will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. Nestled within the colorful decade of the Roaring Twenties was the year 1925 that boasted of several noteworthy events. Calvin Coolidge became the first United States President to have his inauguration broadcast over the airwaves, the Chrysler Corporation was founded, and more airlines were being formed to haul freight and mail. This same year brought great joy to one young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, when they welcomed a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home on May 2nd. Beverley Jean was the oldest of four children born to her parents, Julian and Alice (Hughes) Cole. She was raised in the family home on Highland Street in Muskegon Heights alongside her brothers, Julian Bud and Edward, and her sister, Grace. For the most part Beverley experienced an upbringing that was reflective of the times. Her father worked as a pattern maker while her mother was a homemaker, and together the Cole family attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church. As a young girl Beverley learned to play the piano and the cello, and she attended local schools including Muskegon Heights High School where she played in the orchestra and sang in the choir. After graduating from high school Bev continued her education at Muskegon Junior College. With her formal education behind her she secured a job as an executive secretary at Westran Corporation. Not to be forgotten during this time was Beverleys blossoming romance with Jack Pothoff whom she met in high school. He had gone overseas to serve in WWII, but once he returned they began dating. Deeply in love, Beverley and Jack were married in 1945. In 1946 Bev was delighted to give birth to their son, John, in 1946, and he was followed by their daughter, Dianne, in 1947. Although their marriage soon ended in divorce Beverley was forever grateful for the children they shared. For a few years Beverley raised her children as a single mother, but that all changed when her Aunt Edna introduced her to a single father who was raising his son, Gene. His name was Bernard Bernie Workman, and he worked at the Muskegon Chronicle and was nine years her senior. They began dating and soon found themselves in love. With a desire to build a new life together Bev and Bernie were married on November 19, 1954. Bernie adopted both John and Dianne, and the new family of five settled into a house on Miner Avenue in the Lakeside Neighborhood. In 1958 Bev and Bernie were blessed with the birth of their son, Douglas. While her children were younger Bev stayed home to focus her attention on their children. She loved being a mother and was actively involved in her childrens lives. The Workman family enjoyed doing things together like taking vacations. For several years they went camping up North to places like Torch Lake, and they also made trips to the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. They attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church where Beverly sang in the choir and occasionally played the organ for services. Once Doug was in school Bev went back to work as a secretary at Muskegon Camshaft for a few years before settling in at Muskegon Public Schools where she managed the insurance for all the employees. By the time she retired Bev had given the school system nearly 20 years of dedicated service. Over the years Beverley had a very close relationship with her sister, Grace. The two often got together and at times included their husbands, too. Together they vacationed, played cards, golfed, and bowled, and they also held big family gatherings together regularly. Later in life Bev and Grace tenderly cared for their mother and their aunts, the Hughes girls, through their sunset years. The two sisters also took frequent trips to the casinos for a little fun - sometimes their husbands came with them, but they had no trouble having fun with just the two of them. Throughout their retirement years Beverley and Bernie experienced so many new things as they had more time to spend together. They especially loved traveling and took trips to Europe on three separate occasions where they made many close friends. Their travels also took them all over the United States. Bernie always had the car skillfully packed and took care of the driving, too. For twenty years they spent their winters in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they established great friendships with other snowbirds. At other times Bev and Bernie traveled to visit the friends in their hometowns during the summer months. They later joined Lake Harbor Methodist Church where Bev sang in the choir, and they also sold their house and moved into a smaller apartment that was easier for them to maintain. During her later years Beverley gracefully embraced both the peaks and valleys. She lovingly took care of Bernie until his death in 2009. Although she was deeply saddened with his death, Bev maintained her positive attitude and continued to live on her own for as long as she was able. Eventually the years took their toll, and she began struggling with her own health over the past 18 months. Bev felt truly blessed to have wonderful family members who cared for her during her time of need. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Beverley Workman taught us so much about what it means to be a woman of faith, compassion, and grace. Someone who was content in all things, she never worried about building wealth according to the worlds measure, but focused her days on deeply loving her family and friends. Bev will remain forever near and dear to all our hearts. Beverley J. Workman died Tuesday, July 10, 2012. Bevs family includes her sons, John (Cathy) Workman of Bluffton, Douglas (Linda) Workman of TX; daughter, Dianne (Tom) Young of Whitehall; grandchildren, Erin Sturtevant, Emma Torresen, Ian Davis, Joe Young, Cindy Young, Hallie Workman, Ryan Bird, Kevin Workman, Todd Workman, Patrick Workman, Lance Brown, Shane Brown, Krista Vanderstelt, Misti Daly; many great-grandchildren; daughters-in-law, Penny Workman and Candy Workman; and sister, Grace (Gunnard) Johnson of Muskegon. Bev was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard; son, Gene, grandson Gene Jr.; and brothers, Bud & Edward Cole. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, 11:00 a.m. and visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Lake Harbor United Methodist Church with Rev. Mark Erbes officiating. Memorials can be made to Lake Harbor United Methodist Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.