Beverly Hill "Bev" Hoover
January 1, 1950 ~ April 22, 2020
Beverly Hill “Bev” Hoover, 90. Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great Friend passed from this earth April 22, 2020. Visitation will be from 3:00 - 5:00 pm, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Memorial Service will be held at a later date. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, V. Richard (Dick) Hoover. Beverly graduated from Arlington Heights High School in Ft. Worth, Texas and Texas State College for Women (now TWU) with a degree in sociology and education. She taught school in Aspermont, Texas, Wichita, Kansas and Great Bend, Kansas. Bev married Dick in Ft. Worth in 1951. They lived in Wichita and Great Bend where Dick was active in the oil business. They returned to Wichita in 1969 where they lived until their deaths. Bev was active in Camp Fire Girls as a leader of her daughter’s group. She also served as President of the Wichita Council of Camp Fire Girls. Church involvement played a large part of her life, serving as deacon, circle leader, and President of Eastminster Presbyterian Women. She served as Chairman of the new church’s dedication ceremony, also Chairman of the church’s cookbook and Chairman of the church’s 50th anniversary committee. Arts also played a large part in Bev’s life, she was active at the Wichita Art Museum, Metropolitan Ballet of Wichita, Wichita Center for the Arts and Wichita Grand Opera and Project Beauty. PEO was important to Bev for over 50 years. Bev was an active member in Chapter FM and served in many capacities. She was co-chair and committee member of the state PEO convention in 1992 and 2008. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Helen Galler of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Patricia Richardson of Paris, Texas. Survivors: sister, Mary Sue Leatherwood of Katy, Texas; daughter, Ellen (Doug) Thimesch; son, Paul (Cheri) Hoover, all of Wichita; grandchildren, Molly (James) Thimesch Tully of Wichita, Tyler (Anh) Hoover of Wichita, Carly (Brad) Hoover Arnold of Edwards, CO and Julie Thimesch of Lenexa, KS; great-grandchildren, Adi Tully, Fiona Tully, Ellie Hoover, Liam Hoover, Hendrix Arnold and Paxon Arnold. Memorials have been established with: Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 N. Webb Rd., Wichita, KS 67206; Wichita Children’s Home, 7271 E. 37th St. N., Wichita, KS 67226.
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Paul and Cheri we are so sorry for the loss of your Mother Beverly .
I am so sorry to hear of Bev’s passing. She was a lovely woman, and I know her memory will be a blessing to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
To the funeral home: Please add this sentence to the end of my previous condolence; ‘Ellen and Paul, thank you so much for sharing your Mom with me all these years.’
My heart is heavy and goes out to Paul and Ellen and their families. Beverly and Dick were like second parents to me and great and best friends to my parents. I am fortunate to have so many wonderful memories of them from Great Bend, Colorado, Florida and Wichita throughout my life. I am blessed to have known them and shared so many experiences with them. Mom and Beverly and I driving from Captiva to Key West and having such a wonderful time! Grocery shopping with Beverly in Frisco and Beverly casually tossing a new microwave into the cart! Mom never could get over that. She spent hours picking out hers. Shopping in the cute shops of Breckinridge. Beverly coming to Atlanta on an Art Museum trip and inviting me to join them for a special viewing of the Cyclorama and lunch at the Swan Coach House. Mom and Beverly and I on the beach in Captiva. These are just a few of lifelong wonderful memories. I am so glad Blake and Mom were able to attend Tyler’s wedding so Mom and Beverly could visit and see each other while they were still able. And, yes, she is ‘Beverly’ to me. Always has been and always will be. I will miss her so much.
What a beautiful picture of Mrs. Hoover. Just as I remember her. I’ll always be grateful that she opened her house to my family and me on holidays, special occasions and just in general. She was so sweet to take me to the nutcracker when I was little, but all I remember is getting stuck on the side of the dark road with car troubles afterwards! She was a strong, confident woman and she will be missed.
It was such an honor for me to become a friend of Miss Beverly’s through my job at Larksfield Place. We had such great chats and I will treasure every minute I was gifted with of her ALWAYS cheerful heart. What a joy it was to be even a small part of her life! I know her family will miss her presence here very much.
Dear Ellen & Paul, I talked to Mom this morning and she wanted me to send you two her and Dads condolences. It’s amazing how far back the relationship went with your parents. Mom talked about her friendship with Beverly and how much she will miss her! She regrets not being able to be there this Tuesday to say goodbye! Please know that Mom & Dad cherished their relationship with Bev & Dick! Those early days in Great Bend must have been a great time and then all the years in wichita! Mom tried to call Ellen, left a message, hope you got it! With Love, Jacque & Bruce
Ellen and Paul, Family & Friends, Dick and I send you all our love & support. Aunt Bev, You were one of a kind. Your enthusiasm, true grit and your extreme generosity towards so many will be missed greatly. During many of our Hill Sister’s Reunions, in fact I believe it was all of them, you would insist on these side trips to visit such places as the Black Hills of South Dakota, Pickwick Dam in Tennessee, or the many, many civil war battlegrounds such as Shiloh National Military Park in Tennessee. My Aunt Bev just loved American history so much and thought she needed to instill this love to all your nieces and nephews as well and that we would enthusiastically accept these side jaunts but we were naive youngsters whose only thought was this is boring and why can’t we just go back to play with all our cousins in the pool! But Aunt Bev, I must say thank you for your insistence on these trips because I did learn to understand the importance of appreciating American history, the beauty of nature, and life itself through your eyes. You’re many accomplishments through your wonderful, busy, busy life are many. I’m so proud and fortunate to have had you as my aunt. Thank you for all you have unselfishly given to Dick, our children and myself through the years. You were a gem! I miss you and will continue to miss seeing my Aunt Bev of Wichita tremendously. Rest now & enjoy your time again with Helen & Patricia!! Laurie, Dick, Dylan & Lacey
So sorry to hear about Bev! She was a lovely woman and so gracious! Beverly helped make Wichita a better community with her many talents and gifts. Penny Moss
Our sincerest sympathy to all of the family. As a mother, grandmother, and an individual, she was beloved by all. During these unfortunate times, we are unable to celebrate the wonderful life she lived, but knowing she is in a better place should give you comfort. May she rest in peace. Sending thoughts and prayers, Tammie and Brad Bugner
May you Rest in Peace Beverly. I was honored to have the time to know you.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have known and worked with Bev for over 30 years (on numerous art boards) and have enjoyed our friendship. She was an amazing lady and was so much fun to be with. An unkind word out never came out of her mouth. Her passing will leave a void in so many of our lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Love, Kelly Momsen
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.