BEVERLY HARDEN

1937 - 2018

HARDEN BEVERLY ANNE BUSHFIELD HARDEN January 11, 1937 - December 19, 2018 Beverly Anne Harden died peacefully in her home on Lake LBJ in Kingsland, Texas on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, surrounded by her loving family and caregivers. She is remembered for her grace and gentleness and as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, teacher, and friend. Beverly, the quintessential lady, was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She attended the University of Texas in Austin, where she met her future husband, Thad Harold Harden. Thad became a commissioned officer in the United States Navy, and upon his graduation from UT he asked Beverly to marry him with the slogan, "Join the Navy and see the World". As a Naval Officer's wife, Beverly did indeed see the world. She packed and unpacked her family of five children, cats and dogs, each time Captain Harden was stationed at another base in the United States and across the seas, living in California, Maryland, Virginia, Texas, Japan and Greece. After arriving in Japan, Beverly began to study, learn, and practice Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, becoming a Sogetsu Instructor and the President of Ikebana International Chapter #1 in Washington D.C. and Chapter #38 in Fort Worth, Texas. Beverly was known for her demonstrations and presentations at the Smithsonian Museum and the National Arboretum in Washington, DC, the Irving Art Center, in Irving, Texas, The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, and the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth, Texas. One of Beverly's proudest moments was her involvement in President Reagan's Inauguration festivities when she created the Ikebana arrangements for the Asian Ball. She was also certified as a Master Gardener and taught classes and led workshops at garden clubs throughout the world. The road Beverly traveled throughout her active and vibrant life took an unexpected turn down a quiet side street after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Being reserved and very private person, she felt uncomfortable exposing her diagnosis but she continued to enjoy family and life, and appreciate its beauty. She gracefully fought this battle, fearlessly insisting that her brain be donated to research when she died. Beverly understood the value of her altruistic gift in the hopes of providing a cure for Alzheimer's. Beverly Harden was preceded in death by her husband, Captain Thad Harold Harden, after almost 46 years of marriage, as well as by her parents, her mother-in-law, father-in-law, and brother-in-law, and two of her grandchildren. Beverly Anne Bushfield Harden is survived by her brother and his wife, her sister-in-law, numerous nieces and nephews, 5 children, two son-in-laws, a daughter-in-law, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A memorial service and celebration of life and reception will be held in the Dallas - Ft. Worth area at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a loving gift towards Alzheimer's research at one of the following links: https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate https://makelivesbetter.uthscsa.edu/biggsdonate http://www.dkrfund.org/donate/ Beverly's care is entrusted to Putnam Funeral Home and Crematory, 145 Texas Avenue, Kingsland, Texas 78639. www.PutnamCares.comBeverly's care is entrusted to Putnam Funeral Home and Crematory, 145 Texas Avenue, Kingsland, Texas 78639. www.PutnamCares.com