Beverly Lay

Beverly LaVonne (Koski) Lay

GREAT FALLS —Beverly LaVonne (Koski) Lay, while resting peacefully at Peace Hospice House, left us on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at the age of 56. She had suffered an unrecoverable cardiac event a week prior.

Beverly was born on August 2, 1957 in Great Falls. She grew up on the family ranch located north of Geyser in the Highwood Mountains. She was an outdoorsy girl that loved working with her dad and brother on the ranch. She tells the story of having to stand up on the tractor while raking hay as she couldn't reach the brake or clutch pedals otherwise.

She graduated from Geyser High School in 1975 at the top of her class. She then moved to Bozeman to attend MSU to earn her degree in nursing and met her husband, Bill. After graduating in August 1979, she started on the Oncology floor at what is now Benefis Hospital. Beverly rose to the position of Head Nurse on the floor, but with the birth of her first boy, she decided that she needed weekends off to be with her family and a change was needed. She moved over to the Great Falls Clinic to work with Dr. Guter. She eventually left the Clinic to be a case manager for the Oncology floor, and later working the night shift on the floor. Around three years ago, she moved on to Peace Hospice where she was working until leaving us. Throughout her career she was beloved by her patients, their families, and co-workers that she came in contact with.

Bev and Bill were married on August 30th, 1980 and enjoyed many years of happiness and adventures.

Bev had many passions in life. Her number one passion was being an advocate for her patients' care. She made sure that each of her patients received the best care and compassion that was possible. She enjoyed camping, family events, shopping, couponing, making bead necklaces and wrist bands, staying at the cabin on Ranch Creek, and being with her sons. She also took great pleasure in the spoiling of her "Little Man," Tristan. She was always willing to give up her time to help others in any way she could.

She loved to follow her sons to all of their soccer games. It was easy to find her cheering on the sidelines as she was very vocal and not afraid to speak out on the referees call or the support of the boys. She was the first recipient to be awarded an angel pin for the Great Falls Ski Patrol. This is given to a spouse for their support of the National Ski Patrol.

Beverly is survived by her husband, Bill; sons Erik and Jason; mother Rose; brother Tom; sister Nancy; nieces Leanne and Jessie; numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and several great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert; her favorite Aunt Nini; and several other aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2014 at O'Connor Memorial Chapel and also at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2014, prior to the funeral service which will begin at 2:00 p.m. at O'Connor Memorial Chapel. A reception will follow at The Sting. Bev will be buried at a later date in a private family ceremony. Schnider Funeral home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.

Contributions can be made to Falls Quilt Guild, PO Box 6592, Great Falls, MT 59406 or Peace Hospice Residential Facility, 1101 26th Str. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.

Condolences for the family can be left at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.