Beverly Bassett

Beverly G. Bassett held three things dear: her family, her friends, and her God. She was a dedicated wife and mother who always saw the good in everyone. Beverly embraced her life and viewed every day as a precious gift to be cherished; she felt she was blessed to be loved by not one, but two delightful men.

The 1920’s offered a different breed of authors who wrote more candidly about controversial themes, authors which included Ernest Hemingway and Scott Fitzgerald. Peter and Nellie (Jackson) Tell, of Grand Rapids, Michigan were also preparing to experience a new adventure of their own; as Nellie was due to give birth to their baby at any time. They were indeed blessed in 1923 with the birth of their healthy daughter, Beverly. The Tell family lived on the west side of the city and together they attended Trinity Reformed Church which established a strong faith in Beverly which was a cornerstone that sustained her throughout her entire lifetime. Beverly attended school through the Grand Rapids school system and graduated from Union High School. As a young girl Beverly loved to dance, bowl, and read, and she was blessed with a beautiful singing voice.

After graduating from high school, Beverly’s life took a pleasant turn when she met a young man named Walter Swartz. A romance soon ensued and the young couple was later united in marriage in Grand Rapids. In addition to being a wife, Beverly found much fulfillment through being an active member in her church where she participated in the ladies guild, served in the nursery, as well as various other activities. Beverly and Walter were later blessed with the birth of their daughter, Patricia. Beverly embraced her role as a mother and perfectly balanced her loving gestures with the firmness that she knew she also needed to impart. Together their family of three enjoyed traveling together to locations on both the eastern and western shores of the United States. Tragedy struck for Beverly, however, as her husband Walter died in 1971 after 25 years of marriage due to injuries he sustained from an auto accident.

Beverly found employment first as a salesperson, and later as a manager of the ladies sportswear department of a local department store. In early 1981, Beverly was introduced to a delightful man named Irwin Bassett through some mutual friends. The couple dated for six months and was then married on December 4, 1981 at an Episcopal church in Grand Rapids. After a honeymoon in Las Vegas, the couple settled in the Rockford area, just north of Grand Rapids. In addition to a new husband, Beverly also gained two step-children when she married Irwin.

In addition to her role as a wife and mother, Beverly nurtured a few other interests as well. She enjoyed listening to country music, especially the sounds of Eddy Arnold and Tennessee Ernie Ford. Beverly enjoyed reading; biographies were among her favorite reading materials and Gone with the Wind was tops on her list. After Irwin retired, the couple became “snowbirds” when they left the cold, snowy weather behind and sought the sunny skies of Arizona during the winters for 17 years. Beverly was also delighted to move to Davison, Michigan, located in the eastern part of the state, later in her life which allowed her to be near to her daughter and grandchild.

Beverly G. Bassett lived a long, fulfilling life in harmony with her Christian beliefs which she embraced throughout her entire lifetime, in whatever way she was able. She viewed the love of her family as her greatest asset and deeply cared for all those placed in her path. Beverly’s memory will be forever etched on the hearts of those she leaves behind. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Beverly G. Bassett of Davison, MI, formerly of Grand Rapids, died on December 21, 2008. Beverly’s family includes her husband, Irwin; children, Patricia Ann (Jaye) Cole, Cindy (David) Maxson, and Brad (Marge) Bassett; grandchildren, Damon (Sandra) Cole, Kelly Maxson, and Mark Maxson; and great-grandchild, Jackson. The service to celebrate her life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday December 26, 2008 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 1833 Plainfield NE. Friends may meet her family at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a memory, photo, sign the guestbook if you are unable to attend, or make a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association.