Beverlie Terra Obituary
Culinary Career
Terra began her culinary journey in 1985, transitioning into the profession after an impromptu opportunity during a wine-tasting trip in Sonoma. Despite lacking formal culinary training, she quickly ascended the ranks, eventually becoming the executive chef at Linwood's Restaurant at the Chaminade Resort & Spa in Santa Cruz. During her tenure, she spearheaded initiatives like the Farm to Table Wine Dinner Series, collaborating with local farms and wineries to craft seasonal, organic menus. Her cooking style, which she affectionately terms "peasant food," focuses on simple, flavorful dishes rooted in her Italian heritage.
Beyond Chaminade, Terra has held positions as an executive chef at Hayes Mansion and served as an R&D chef at Sweet Earth Foods, a plant-based food company.
Teaching and Mentorship
In addition to her work in professional kitchens, Terra is a culinary instructor at Cabrillo College, where she teaches courses such as meat cutting. Students have praised her for her engaging teaching style and emphasis on hygiene and task management.
Personal Background
Raised in Santa Clara and San Mateo, Terra's early exposure to cooking came from preparing meals for her family. Her grandparents owned Italian restaurants in San Francisco and Palo Alto, instilling in her a deep appreciation for homemade, rustic cuisine.
Terra maintains an active presence on social media, sharing insights into her culinary adventures and experiences.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Janyce
June 6, 2025
Bev... I will always remember your talents, humor, and generous Heart.
I´m Grateful I was able to spend time with you at the club.
Sending Love to your family. I know you are deeply missed.
Janyce Jones
Gary Heath
June 6, 2025
Bev, We shared so many hours together at Chaminade and I am saddened by your passing. You were a presence and your wit was sharp! I can't tell you how many times you made me bust a gut. I will always appreciate how hard you worked, your culinary skill, and your ability to build a consistent and loyal team around you. I wish we had more time to talk the last time I saw you. Rest in peace, you will be missed by many.
Laura Ness
May 26, 2025
Sadly, we recently lost the irreplaceable and irreverently funny Beverlie Terra, who started the Farm to Table Wine dinner series at Chaminade Resort in Santa Cruz, where she worked for 26 years. She also worked as Executive Chef at Hayes Mansion in San Jose and taught as an instructor at Cabrillo College.
She was as spicy as her food was creative and delicious, although she often referred to it as "peasant food." Anybody who ever met her will never forget that piercing look that could boil a lobster instantly.
Her creativity was on display one August day in 2022 when she showed up at one of my Wild Wine Women gatherings at La Vida Bella in Corralitos with peach gazpacho, and teeny little shot glasses. She also prepared an amazing lunch for us at the Hayes Mansion, and served up a feast at Odonata, including her famous deviled eggs. During the pandemic, she brought her pizza dough and housemade mozzarella to Calerrain, where we made all manner of pies for hours, all the while telling stories and getting flour absolutely everywhere. Good times, Beverlie. We will miss you!!
Britt Stone
May 25, 2025
Aunt Bev, you were such a meaningful person in my life. When my mom passed, you stepped into that role in so many ways. I cannot believe I was robbed of my chance to say goodbye to you, only being a 40 minute drive away. You were so full of love, and I know that you were so deserving of love. I´m sorry that these last few years were so rough for you; I love you and I hope you and my mom are together again, in death.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Joan Eisenstodt
May 18, 2025
Learning of your death, dearest Beverlie, was a body-blow. Knowing you for so very long from the many meetings at Chaminade, loving and admiring you from the first, my heart just hurts that so many won´t have the direct opportunity to relish in your wit, seriousness, laugh, culinary genius seems as bad as it feels. This photo from one of the retreats held in which you participated in the fun and silliness when we weren´t being serious is part of your legacy - to go from instructor to creator to colleague to friend. Sherrie first told me; then Nicholas; then I found this page. Let all of us who experienced your creative food [some ever associated with you!], your teaching, most of all your love and the marvelous humor you provided carry forth your spirit. May your memory be ever for a blessing to your family, colleagues, students, clients, all of us who knew you.
Tracy Coffaro
May 16, 2025
Fly with the angels Bev! You will be missed but never forgotten
Steve jensen
May 14, 2025
Our bevski
Steve jensen
May 14, 2025
We travelled the world and left our mark along the way. Your ability to meet people and relate to them instantly and on a deep level made you a star in every situation we encountered. We lived, we loved, we danced the nights away laughing and smiling at the quirkiness of life. We wished we had met earlier in life but thankful for the time we had. You are creating menus for the angels now...and being careful they don´t steal your recipes. It is a great loss for the world...but you are home with our lord, sitting on his lap regaling him with the many stories of your culinary exploits.
Keiichi Kinoshita
May 5, 2025
Thank You So Much!
Beverlie
Wayne Pitts
May 3, 2025
Beverley, I have told the bees. I remember our great times when tending the hives while practicing the art of beekeeping. Our meals together, Steve´s concrete boat, Joe´s escapades on his Indian. Jaden loves her cat you gave her. The opportunity to have Chopper in my pet cemetery. But most of all sharing great food. Will be joining you soon, since I am well past my pull by date.
Anne Chaney
May 3, 2025
Beverlie, our journey began back in the 80's when myself and another friend had moved to San Jose. We worked together and played together and created so many memories. We were so happy to see you again in Monterey many years later, you and Steve looked so happy. My heart aches for the loss of you and your friendship. You are at peace now. I love you my dear friend.
Fred
May 2, 2025
Bev was great to work with, tough but fair,. Chaminade kitchen was a great place to work, RIP Bev
Rosie Zepeda
May 2, 2025
I´m going to miss you my friend and Neighbor your kindness and generosity and feisty spirit.
So sorry for your loss
Gregg Stuessi
May 1, 2025
I have many great memories of working together with Beverlie at Chaminade. I´m sure that she will be missed by many people.
Irene Ericksen
May 1, 2025
Will miss your sharp wit and great sense of humor ~ rest in peace Dear Bevski
Samuel Solis
May 1, 2025
I took a Cabrillo Culinary class with Bev and she was great. This year, I found out she was my neighbor and I did not get a chance to meet her. Rest in peace Bev. I will always remember your cooking lessons.
Joe paul
May 1, 2025
I have good memories and many nice conversations with her. At the Elkhorn yacht club where she ren her dog and Joe's dog chopper. Also many Christmas parties. Where she cooked a wonderful dinner for at least 20 people. Thanks for those memories Beve
Jay Silva
May 1, 2025
Betty Hutchins
May 1, 2025
You will forever be missed - lots of great memories and great healthy laughter. RIP
Evelyn Frank
May 1, 2025
Rest in heavenly peace dear Bev. So many happy memories of our Chaminade years together. I will always remember you in my prayers.
Dianne Fitzgerald
May 1, 2025
Bev, you were one in a million, in every way! Great leader, teacher, mother, friend, wife and servant. You're home now with your God, he has shared you long enough! It's no wonder he has called for you first, leaving us all behind! Soar with the angels girl! Thank you for sharing your heart and soul with us! I know I can speak for all, when I say, you will be forever remembered! Dianne Fitzgerald
Joe Terra
May 1, 2025
Beverlie was much loved by all her family and friends. I will remember her as a loving mother to my children. She had a incredible drive to be the best at what she was tasked to do. Beverlie left a mark in this world. The culinary professionals she studied and worked with, her friends around the world, her family we all loved her. Even though Beverlie and I have not been together in some time. There's not a day that goes by in a dream or in a memory that I don't think of you and our twenty three years together. Go in peace your with God now. Loving memories, Joe
Christina Bible
May 1, 2025
Barry Del Buono
April 30, 2025
Michelle Reynolds
April 30, 2025
My longtime friend, you will be so missed.
Barry Del Buono
April 30, 2025
may you rest in peace
Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results
Make a Donation
in Beverlie Terra's name
How to support Beverlie's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Beverlie Terra's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
