Jean Shreffler Beveridge

Jean Shreffler Beveridge, born April 15, 1925 in Barnsdale, Oklahoma to Ralph Edward Shreffler and Beulah May Wells Shreffler, peacefully returned to the loving arms of her Heavenly Father on January 4, 2015. She was surrounded by her family. Mom married Robert James Beveridge, Jr., on June 27, 1950 in Alexandria, Virginia. Mom was a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After her conversion, Mom and dad were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple with four of their children. Their youngest two children were born-in-the-covenant.
Jean grew up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Des Moines, Iowa. She attended Iowa State University before going to the University of Colorado to attend Nursing School. Jean graduated with a Bachelors of Nursing degree and was valedictorian of her graduating class. She worked at Doctors Hospital in Washington, DC, before marrying a young cardiovascular-thoracic surgeon, Robert James Beveridge, MD. Bob and Jean enjoyed traveling. Both had childhood dreams of "going around the world" and they fulfilled that dream in 1966. Besides their home in Salt Lake City, they maintained homes in Mazatlan, Mexico, St. George, Utah, and Sundance, Utah.
Jean worked as a Head Nurse at Colorado Psychiatric Hospital, as a nursing instructor at Baylor University, and as a Nursing Supervisor at Veterans Administrative Hospital in Salt Lake City. Jean served terms as Secretary and Vice President of the Salt Lake Council of Women.
Besides traveling, Jean enjoyed gardening, walking, reading and music. Mom and dad were in various study groups with dear friends that they cherished. She was a member of the Ex Libris Literary Club for over 50 years. Bob and Jean were excellent ballroom dancers and together they enjoyed dancing and, listening to music. She loved the sunshine and always had fun wherever she was.
She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and happily served in many church callings including the president, counselor and/or teacher in each of the auxiliaries She loved being a visiting teacher and was very dedicated, very seldom missing a month up until she went in to a palliative care center. She loved being a Hostess at the LDS Church Office Building and an Adoption Volunteer for the Church's Social Services for nine years. Her greatest love was serving for 10 years as a Temple Ordinance Worker in the Salt Lake Temple. Jean loved the members of her ward and the ladies of her lunch bunch.
Jean was truly a beautiful person inside and out, and she showed us how to grow old with grace and dignity through adversity. Mom was a wonderful example of a disciple of Jesus Christ. She untiringly taught her children the gospel principles of faith, hope, charity, mercy, unconditional love, forgiveness, patience and long-suffering. When she was diagnosed with cancer for the third time, she accepted it with grace and dignity only saying "At least now I know why my neck and side hurt." She never complained about the pain or suffering she went through. She even asked one night if it was "alright to say ow!" We told her she could swear if she wanted and she replied "I don't know how."
Most of all, she loved her six children, Ann Hogensen (Phillip Jr.), Rob Beveridge (Cherryl), Bill Beveridge (Ronda), Richard Beveridge (Sue), Mary Lynn Dahle (Tim), and Reed Beveridge. She is survived by her children, and her 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her sister and best friend, Lynn Schutte, who she dearly loved. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Martha (Brent) Nielson.
A viewing will be held on Friday January 9, 2015 at the Garden Heights Ward 2220 East Fisher Lane (2935 South) from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. A celebration of her life and funeral services will be held at the Garden Heights Ward at 11:00am on Saturday January 10, 2015 with a viewing preceding the funeral from 9:30am to 10:30am. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery 1342 East 500 South. Jean's family wants to thank all of the dedicated and loving staff at CareSource for their wonderful, "above and beyond" care of our sweet mother. Online memories and tributes can be posted for the family at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com