Obituary of Beverly Hofvendahl

Our incredible matriarch, Beverly Hofvendahl, died peacefully at home on February 21, 2012, enfolded in the love of her family. Our mother, grandmother, aunt and cherished friend told us often that her life was blessed and that she loved living in Santa Cruz, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And we were all tremendously blessed to have had her with us for so many years. Bev was born in Visalia, California on September 1, 1922 to Floyd and Ida Byrnes. She regaled us with stories of her very happy childhood, camping in the Sequoias, acting in community plays written and directed by her beloved father, and taking road trips with her parents and best friend throughout the Pacific Northwest. Bev attended San Jose State University, graduating from San Francisco State University in 1943. Bev met her husband of 64 years, Russell Hofvendahl, at San Jose State, and they married just after the outbreak of World War II. When Russ traveled to Quantico, Virginia for Officer's Training in the Marine Corps, Bev joined him there until he was sent to the Pacific. After the War, Bev and Russ lived in San Mateo County while Russ completed Stanford Law School. In 1948 Russ and Bev settled in Santa Clara County where they lived until they moved to Santa Cruz in 2006. Bev and Russ traveled the world over many times. Their final trip together was to the Pacific Theater of Guam and Hawaii for the 60th anniversary of D Day. The immediate family took extended vacations together every year and Bev also arranged for the entire family, including all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, to gather at Huntington Lake for family reunions. Bev will also be remembered for her wonderful annual "Hofvendahl Christmas Party," enjoyed by her extended vast family of relatives and friends. Beverly was truly a Renaissance woman. She was a talented artist and her family is fortunate to enjoy so many of her lovely paintings. Bev also began playing the piano in her 60's and became an accomplished musician. She was a prolific and gifted writer as well; Bev learned to use a computer in her 70's and composed delightful and moving stories of her life which she shared with her family and friends. Bev also enjoyed playing bridge with "the girls" - a group formed in 1948 that played together until very recently. Not the least of Bev's gifts was her ability to make everyone feel that they were the most important person in the world. She will be missed every single day by her children Camille Hofvendahl, Kathleen Hofvendahl-Clark (Kevin), Steve Hofvendahl (Lily) and David Hofvendahl (Jeanne), her 14 grandchildren, her 21 great-grandchildren, her niece, several nephews, cousins, many cherished friends, and her beloved sister-in-law, Lois Schultz. A celebration of Beverly's life will be held on May 12th, at 1:00 p.m. in Brookdale, near Santa Cruz. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please donate in Beverly's name to your favorite charity.