Beverly Jeanne Botting Goucher
January 29, 1922 - December 4, 2013
Obituary
Beverly Jeanne Botting Goucher
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday December 14th at 2pm at Emmanuel Episcopal Church 4400 86th Ave SE Mercer Island. Beverly, a long time Mercer Island resident passed peacefully on December 4th, surrounded by her family.
Beverly, a descendent of Washington pioneers Alexander and Margaret Turnbull, was born to David Charles Botting and Sarah Jane Turnbull on January 29, 1922. She was raised on Capitol Hill in Seattle and spent most of her summers at the family home on Bainbridge Island. She was a graduate of Broadway High School and remained active in their alumni association.
Beverly was an excellent student and musician. At the age of 11 she won 2nd place in the nation in a history essay competition for 8th graders sponsored by the Hearst Newspapers and was awarded the Mt. Rushmore Gold Medal. The following year at age 12 she won first place in the Western Washington competition for high school violinists. She was a member of the Seattle Youth Symphony. Beverly pursued these interests as an adult earning a BA in History from the UW followed by a certificate from the Cornish School of Art and Music.
Beverly married William H. Goucher, a Seattle attorney, at St. Mark’s Cathedral on June 16, 1951. Following her marriage she earned a MA in History from the UW and taught at St. Nicholas School. She then completed her secondary education certificate, also from the UW and taught in the Edmonds School District.
Beverly and Bill resided on Capitol Hill where their daughter Dorian was born in 1960. They had purchased land and designed a custom built home on Mercer Island and moved there in 1962. A son, Geoffrey was born in 1964. In 1968 Beverly returned to the UW for the final time, earning a MA in Librarianship. Beverly returned to the work force in 1970 and was a librarian in the Federal Way School District for the next 22 years. During that time she was active in the teacher’s union and was on the negotiation team for many years. Bill and Beverly loved to travel and made several trips to Europe in the 1970’s. They especially enjoyed Greece, England and Spain and their children were able to accompany them on a few of those trips.
Bill preceded Beverly in death in 1981. She continued working until 1992, when she began enjoying her retirement. She took piano lessons, was a parishioner at St Thomas and later Emmanuel Episcopal Church and especially enjoyed working for social justice. She was active in the Congregations for the Homeless and peace organizations as well as the ACLU and Cease Fire. She actively opposed the Gulf and Iraq wars, attending demonstrations and prayer vigils. She traveled to Europe and Russia, sometimes accompanied by her brother David or friends. She loved traveling with her sister Janet and vacationed in California, Alaska, Arizona and New England. Beverly enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and was the family matriarch to a large extended family.
In addition to her parents and husband, Beverly was preceded in death by her siblings, Vivian B. Staley, David C. Botting Jr., and Janet B. Avera. Beverly is survived by her daughter, Dorian (Bob) Bersos, her son, Geoffrey Goucher and her grandchildren Joshua, Michael(Tiffany) and Laura Bersos, and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be given to the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Endowment Fund or Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Dorian and Geoffrey,
Thinking of you at this time. I have very fond memories of your mother, and the entire Goucher clan.
Curt
tvillerealtor@yahoo.com
My Aunt Beverly was one of the classiest women I have ever known while still being a ‘fire ball’ of a woman with lots of humor. There was always a funny remark or story up her sleeve. There are so many stories I could tell of her, but mostly I will remember the tea time laughter of Aunt Beverly and Grandma Janet. She will be missed dearly and I hope somewhere they are picking up tea time where they left off.
The world lost a wonderful, intelligent, witty, and compassionate woman, I was a young teenager the first time I met Aunt Beverly. I told my Grandmother, “I hope Uncle Bill
marries her. She is prettier than Grace Kelly!” My Grandmother would phone me,and say “Your Uncle Bill and Grace Kelly will be here Sunday. I think you should be here!”
Thank you Aunt Beverly for 2 cousins that I love!
Beverly was my godmother and my Mother’s dear friend. They were bridesmaids in each other’s weddings. They met when their mothers joined The Delphian Society, a local club that studied Art and Literature.
My mother, Dorothy, who resides in Kent at Radcliffe Place, will definitely miss Beverly. We both have fond memories of Seafair Parades in front of the house on John Street, Capitol Hill. We will never forget the fancy teatimes that accompanied that event. Beverly, Sada, Vivian and Janet were all special women. I will miss Beverly’s laughter. She will make a beautiful angel. We are praying for the family.