Nellie V. Beasley

Nellie Verona Beasley, 85, a lifelong resident of Ilwaco passed away peacefully at home on February 9, 2016. Nellie was the tenth of eleven children born to Christian and Lempi (Hakala) Hanselman on October 8, 1930. She grew up and attended school in Ilwaco and had fond memories of her childhood when Ilwaco was “quite the Finnish community”.

On December 16, 1947 Nellie married Don Beasley. She was a loving wife, mother and homemaker, and also a loving grandmother and great-grandmother who created many fond memories for all to cherish.

Nellie enjoyed a full, busy life and family always lit up her day, especially at holidays and birthdays which were often shared with family. She delighted in her many friends and they were very special to her, stopping by for tea anytime as she had her door always open. Nellie was outgoing and caring and throughout her life she volunteered for many community events on the Peninsula. Saying “no” was not in her vocabulary. She always kept up on local issues, watching out for the townsfolk at Ilwaco city council meetings, as someone had to keep them on the straight and narrow.  She was a member of the Ilwaco Post American Legion Auxiliary and a member of the Peninsula Quilt Guild. She also worked at the McGowan Cannery and Wilson’s in Chinook putting salmon in cans, making Roquefort dressing at Doris’ Gillnetter Cafe, and checking groceries at Archie’s Market.

Nellie enjoyed gardening, cooking, traveling, bowling, tole painting, water colors, and especially quilting which became an artful passion. She and Don and their friends enjoyed ocean cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean, West Coast ports and the Panama Canal. While visiting the East Coast, she even bought a birthday cake for a whole bus to share in her celebration. Collecting and creating things was another passion, whether it was a new recipe or a wild blackberry pie for a holiday dinner, painting her own pictures, or collecting cruets and local art. She gave handcrafted quilts to loved ones and some she did not even know, just to make their day brighter.

She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years Don, at home; son Dale (Edith) Beasley of Ilwaco; granddaughters Jen Beasley of Portland, Or.; Stacey Beasley (Francisco Garcia) of Yakima, Wa.; great-grandson Mika; great granddaughters Peyton and Reese; sisters, Betty Nielsen of Astoria, Or, Polly Reed of Seaview, Wa., Gladys Fink of Longview, Wa., and many nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten.

Nellie was preceded in death by both of her parents and her beloved brothers, Phillip, Arthur, George, Roy, John, and sisters, Louise Beasley and Irene Ochal,

Nellie will be remembered by her family and friends for her friendship, sense of humor, sense of community and most importantly that she lived her life as a Good Samaritan.

A celebration of life and a reception will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview, WA.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to a charity of your choice that benefits others. The guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.