Beverly Ann “Thurlow” Paul

Longtime Libby resident Beverly Ann “Thurlow” Paul passed away peacefully November 23, 2018, at Hospice of Spokane in Spokane, Washington, following a long battle with Alzheimers. She was 86.

Born July 20, 1932, in Sandpoint, Idaho, to Hugh Angus and Eva Rose “Lacomb” Thurlow, she was the fourth of their six children. Beverly grew up and attended school at Sandpoint, graduating with the class of 1951.

Following graduation, she and her sister Donna moved to Spokane, Washington, staying a while at the local YWCA. Beverly found work waiting tables at a little cafe. It was at this very diner that she met the love of her life. In through the door walked a tall gentlemen with jet black hair and dreamy eyes. Claude Delmar “Del” Paul was there to visit his mother who also worked in the cafe. Beverly was immediately smitten. They were married six weeks later at the Hitching Post in Coeur D’alene, Idaho, on Jan. 3, 1952.

Bev and Del eventually settled down and purchased land south of Libby in the White Haven Tracks area. Del built the house (and the second house, after the fire), that they would raise their family in and make a home, for over sixty years. Aside from being a homemaker and raising her family, Bev held various jobs ranging from waiting tables at the Ten Pin Cafe, to “pulling on the Green Chain” to working in the box factory at the mill.

But the area of work she held especially dear to her was childcare. Children with special needs held a place in her heart as well. Bev loved all children as if they were her own. She and Del dedicated many years to being foster parents. She even raised their foster son Willy for 18 years. Volunteering at the elementary schools was also a passion of hers. Bev was renowned for her rendition of Dr. Suess’s “Green Eggs and Ham.” She would bring ham along with hard boiled green eggs (laid by her chickens), for the students to eat while she read to them from the book.

Bev lived a full life as an amazing daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She had a flair for baking, crocheting, darning socks, gardening in both her flower and vegetable gardens, swinging on the wooden swing that Del had built her in the backyard, and taking care of her “shickens.”

Bev especially enjoyed spending time with family during campouts or family gatherings, playing games like “spinner” or “hand and foot” could keep everybody together for hours. Above and beyond all, she loved her family and her family loved her.

Beverly will surely be missed by every soul she touched. “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh).

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents Hugh Angus and Eva Rose; brothers Gene and Gerry; sisters Evelynn and Shirley; and son Billy.

She is survived byher sister, Donna, Tri-Cities Washington; her children Debbie Chamberlain, Libby, Montana; Eva (Ed) McElmurry, Spokane Valley, Washington; Jim Paul, Medical Lake, Washington; John Paul, Libby, Montana; Jeff (Julie) Paul Spokane, Washington; Lynn Ryan Sun City, Arizona. Grandchildren Leanna Horne, Keri LeDoux, Tori Stillwell, Eric McElmurry, Emily Chamberlain, Lisa Edgar, Nathan Paul, Katie Gilson, Justina Meyer, Izola Snyder and Izaiah Paul. Great-grandchildren Matthew, Ian, Aaron, Taylor, Jacob, Liam, Kylie, Cami, Emma, Allie, Jessalyn, Mackenzie, Gabe, Sam, Bailey,Camden and Evan; and great-great granddaughter Zoey.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, at Fireman Park in Libby. We would be delighted if you could join us to share some stories and have a few laughs in honor of our beloved mother and grandmother.