Beverly Jean Winsett

Beverly Jean Winsett (Hale) died peacefully in her Fort Collin's home January 21, after a three year courageous battle with multiple myeloma cancer.

Truly a child of God, Beverly was born November 24, 1943 in Lamar, Colorado to Aaron and Zelma (Thompson) Hale of Springfield, Colorado. She grew up in her beloved Springfield among countless relatives and friends. She enjoyed so much the land of Baca County and the ranchers and farmers who shared a life of faith in God and family. This environment was responsible for the faith in God she lived and shared during her 80 years of a loving life. Beverly enjoyed participating in Springfield High School academics, marching band, and choir. She continued her education at Colorado State College in Greeley, Colorado and completed her degree in Elementary Education in 1964. That is also where she met and married her husband of 59 years and 7 months, Joe Winsett, June 14, 1964.

In September 1964, Joe was commissioned a second lieutenant USAF and thus began a journey of 25 years for Beverly during his career. During this time they had two children, David and Michelle. As a military wife, Beverly moved 11 times to different military bases in Texas, Germany (Spangdahlem, Berlin, Stuttgart), Colorado, New York, Virginia, Utah, Ohio, and Arizona. Joe moved 17 times during his career. Always Beverly made home a place of love and dedication to family regardless of any duty separations. She obtained her Master Degree in Educational Psychology at the University of Utah in 1983. After Joe's retirement in 1990, Beverly and Joe returned to live in Fort Collins to be near family. All of this moving did not interfere with Beverly as a beloved daughter, mother, wife, teacher, and church and community participant.

Beverly taught a few years at Sylvan Learning and Front Range Community College. She was a prolific reader of fiction and nonfiction books involving people and their lives. She loved hiking, skiing, the Zumba Divas, and long walks on Pheasant Lane with her dogs Silka, Sadie, and Sophie. In retirement with Joe, she loved their many Viking river cruises and Trafalgar tours in Europe, OAT safari in South Africa, SCUBA/snorkel diving trips throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, Fiji, New Zealand, and yearly get aways to Mexico. She was a member of a book club, church knitting circle, officer in PEO Chapter IK, and Delta Zeta sorority alums. As a staunch supporter of Pura Vida Ministries she made two mission trips to Guatemala and provided scholarships for young girl students there to continue their education. She was very active in the Fort Collins First United Methodist Church and United Women in Faith, (formerly United Methodist Women (UMW)). As a member of the First United Methodist Church she served on many committees including the Staff Parish Relations committee and sang in the Sanctuary Choir for thirty years. Her true calling for service was within the United Women in Faith where she served in numerous positions from President to circle leader at local, regional, and conference levels, and special projects leader involving young women.

Beverly's death and joining with Jesus Christ will forever leave family and friends a legacy of a life well lived, memories of a loving heart and dedicated Christian woman who was deeply loved and appreciated by anyone who knew her. Her smile, comfort, and friendship, which she gave to so many, will always be treasured.

Beverly is survived by her husband Joe; son David and wife Grace of Erie, CO; daughter Michelle and partner Steven Spoerle of Stormville, NY; sister-in-law Linda Winsett; and many loved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Beverly is preceded in death by her parents Aaron and Zelma Hale and brother Raymond.

A memorial service in remembrance of Beverly will be held February 15th, 10 am, Fort Collins United Methodist Church. In March, Beverly will be interred in Springfield, CO.

The family of Beverly is very thankful and appreciative of the amazing care and treatment she received from the awesome staff at the Fort Collins UCH CANCER CENTER.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to any of the following organizations in her name:

United Women in Faith, 1005 Stover St., Fort Collins, CO 80524

Pura Vida Ministries, PO Box 631370, Highlands Ranch, CO 80163

PEO Sisterhood Chapter IK, c/o Carrie Robinson 3632 Crescent Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80526