The world lost a beautiful soul when Beverly Hathaway passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Monday, July 15 after facing her cancer diagnosis with grace and dignity. Her loss is immeasurable to those she touched.
Bev, the oldest daughter of loving parents, Jalmer Sjol and Doris Sanderson Sjol, was born in Minot, North Dakota. She and her younger sister, Jacquelyn, grew up in North Dakota and Montana where Bev was involved in many activities. She was chosen to represent Culbertson, MT at Montana’s First Girls State in Billings in 1948. She graduated from Culbertson High School and was elected Miss Culbertson by city business residents. She attended the University of Montana, where she received an Associate Degree in medical administration and pre-nursing. After graduating, Bev worked as a nurse for a Family Practice doctor and loved helping patients with a wide variety of medical conditions.
After her marriage to Wells Hathaway in 1958, they later moved to Boulder, CO, in 1962 where Bev began her 36-year career at the University of Colorado, 8 years in the Counseling Center, 23 years in the President’s Office, and 5 years at the Leeds School of Business, where Bev served as an Events Coordinator.
In 1988, Bev was awarded the prestigious Stearns Award for her outstanding service to the University with the commendation “She is a reflection of the University’s high standards and values. Her contributions are distinguished by their diversity and excellence. Beverly has guided countless policy and program initiatives. She is widely respected for her understanding of University policies and knowledge of University practices. In gracious style, she personalizes University operations. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni remember and cite her kindnesses and extraordinary efforts on behalf of individuals. Beverly is a friend to all who know her.”
Following the death of her husband in 1990, Bev moved to Lafayette in 1994 and, in 2000, Bev met her current life partner, Peter Lambert. They’ve shared a wonderful life together at their home in Lafayette. Bev provided great love, involvement, and support to the children and grandchildren of Wells, Jaquelyn, and Peter. She was also “Aunt Bev” to many of the children of friends.
Bev was energetic and enthusiastic about life, always on the go. She exercised regularly and followed a healthy lifestyle. She was a loyal, compassionate, and loving person, who gave tirelessly to others. She enjoyed her time with family and friends, loved music, was the first on the dance floor when the music started, and was always ready to have fun. Her enthusiasm for life was contagious. She had a sharp and inquisitive mind and had broad interests. She loved reading nonfictional material and doing research on her favorite topics such as history, medical advances, and politics. She was a loyal fan of the CU Buffs, holding season football tickets for 30 years.
She showed enormous generosity of spirit. Given her deep interest in others, you were welcomed in her home with open arms, a smile, and a willingness to listen. She enjoyed a good joke and had a very infectious laugh. Bev loved people. She was outgoing, warm, and friendly, and always took a personal interest in people she met. She made great efforts to maintain all her many cherished relationships throughout her life through letters, emails, and phone calls. She was a key organizer of the “Retired VIP Lunch Group” which gathered CU staff members for quarterly lunches. For many years, she and Peter also helped organize social events for their HOA community and enjoyed capturing those events with numerous photos.
Bev’s paternal grandfather was born in Norway, and she was always very proud of her Norwegian heritage. She was a member of the Sons of Norway Trondheim Lodge and took a tour with Lodge members to Norway in 1999. She and another close Norwegian friend extended the tour and visited the Sjol farm in Sande, Norway, which is still occupied by family members who remained in Norway. The Norwegian meal prayer was a permanent fixture in her kitchen, recited by family members, especially Nephew Nicholas, at holiday gatherings. Bev’s interest in genealogy led to locating many maternal and fraternal family connections across the U.S. and Canada.
Bev and Peter shared many wonderful trips inside the U.S. and to Canada, Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Germany and Mexico. Bev and Peter became Snow Birds in 2005, migrating to Scottsdale, AZ in the Spring for a dozen years. It was there that they discovered the Celebration of Fine Arts, fell in love with art collecting, and built a large collection of paintings, sculpture, and glass. Their Arizona years also led to lasting friendships.
Bev had excellent taste in clothing and décor and loved projects that involved research and planning at which she excelled. These interests came together during the several redecorating and remodeling projects that were undertaken at their home. Peter’s engineering background and their strong organizational skills, combined with their attention to detail, guaranteed successful outcomes.
Bev was preceded in death by husband Wells Hathaway, parents Jalmer and Doris Sjol, and nephew Steven Livesay. Bev is survived by her beloved partner of twenty-four years, Peter Lambert, sister Jackie Livesay (Ken), nieces Shelley Bernhard (John), Shawnee Anderson (Darrell), stepson, Pete Lambert (Bridget), and many other nephews, nieces, and grandchildren.
Bev and her family are especially thankful to her partner, Peter, for his steadfast support during her cancer journey, the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center and Boulder Community Hospital for their competent and compassionate care, and to Certified Nursing Assistant, Julie Cook, for the excellent home care she provided to Bev.
Bev will be inurned at Green Mountain Cemetery in a private family service. A celebration of life may be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bev’s name to Boulder Rocky Mountain Cancer Center, 4715 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303.
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