Beverly Marie Kershner

Beverly Marie Kershner (AKA: Mom, Nana, Bev, or Mrs. Kershner) passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 2, 2025. Beverly had been suffering from dementia for several years.

Beverly was born to Lewis and Marbeth Bell, in Ashland Oregon, on September 5, 1951. Her mother was a nurse and her father, a Greyhound bus driver. Her grandparents were instrumental in raising her and her brother, modeling and instilling the values of family that she strived to emulate when she married and formed her own family.

Beverly attended Ashland High School and was proud to be an Ashland Grizzly. After graduation, she attended Southern Oregon College and received a BS in Elementary Education. There she met her future husband, Michael Kershner. Michael and Beverly were married in 1972. The young couple had their first child, Kelley, in 1974. Shortly after, they moved to Roseburg Oregon, Michael’s hometown. 1978, they had their second child, Ryon.

Beverly was a stay-at-home mom for many years. When her son Ryon entered grade school she began working as a paraeducator at Fullerton IV Elementary school in Roseburg. They quickly realized she was an amazing teacher. She taught countless children reading, writing, and math. Her passion was teaching reading…especially to those who struggled. She always referred to them as, “My kids.” Beverly was known for wearing beautiful and festive brooches everyday to work. These baubles would draw in and engage her students when she was teaching. She had a huge collection of them that she had bought and that were gifted to her by friends, colleagues, and students.

Being a paraeducator allowed her to teach and still be a 250% mom. She drove her children to and from school every day. She went to all her children’s sports events, concerts, scouting activities, and anything else

that popped up! She often would have other kids in tow as well! Beverly was a bonus mom to many.

The next exciting chapter in Beverly’s life was becoming a nana. Beverly had 5 grandchildren: Michael, Avery, Sophia, Eli, and Seth. Beverly was an amazing nana. She loved spoiling the kids just the right amount. She

would read to them, give them snuggles, play on the floor with them, give them sweets and treats, and was always willing to have a chat with them on the phone…even when they were very small! As she was with her children, she was a 250% nana. She would attend their birthday parties, concerts, and sporting events…even if that meant driving 2 hours or 7 hours!

Coffee was a crucial part of Beverly’s morning. She loved flowers and gardening. Her spring tulips and summer begonias were the envy of the neighborhood. She loved playing cribbage with her husband, children, and grandchildren…she was a fierce competitor! Along with her husband, they would have game night with their best friends and play pinochle! She enjoyed watching “Dancing with the Stars,” with a large group of friends from work, where costumes were critiqued, steps were scrutinized, and laughter and friendship flowed.

Holidays, particularly Christmas were important for Beverly. She would always mark these occasions with knick-knacks and decorations. Every Christmas she would go all out! All the inside décor was changed for Christmas. She would spend hours fastidiously placing each ornament on the tree and then carefully drape ribbon or garland on it. Her family would muse that it looked like, “A department store tree.” Whether it was St. Patrick’s Day or Christmas, she had a flare for making it festive!

Beverly’s favorite retreat was Bandon, Oregon. She loved sleeping and having coffee at her favorite hotel where she could watch the sleepy town wake up, the fishermen heading out to sea, and the crab pots

being set from the docks. She collected countless rocks and shells on those beaches with her children and grandchildren. She watched her family building and occupying driftwood forts. She would frequent her favorite shops and eating spots.

It is difficult to sum up a life, but Beverly lived a life full of love, family, and friendship. She strived to show her children and all the children she worked with empathy, kindness, compassion, and heart. She always would lend and ear, a hug, or advice to the people in her life. She was a teacher in every way and every day. Beverly touched many lives and will be missed by many.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kelley and Jason Culp and their children Michael and Sophia; her son and daughter-in-law, Georgia Kershner and their children, Avery, Eli, and Seth; and her brother and sister-in-law, Robert, and Madeline Bell.