Beverly Jean Engholm

August 11, 1943 ‐ February 23, 2021

Beverly Jean Engholm, age 77, died February 23, 2021, after a long hard fought battle of 40 plus years with Leukemia at Ames Family Hospice House in Westlake, Ohio.  

Bev was born in Lakewood, Ohio, on August 11, 1943, to Robert and Miriam (Jones) Russon.  As a young girl, she enjoyed spending summers at Camp Robin, with horseback riding, swimming, crafting and singing by the campfire. She attended schools in Lakewood, graduating from Lakewood High School in 1961.  While in high school,  Bev’s art talent was recognized, and she was encouraged to consider art school upon graduation.  Instead, she attended Dyke Business College (Myers College) in Cleveland, where she became certified in Advanced Stenographic. She managed to balance her time in college classes with a job in the notions department at Higbee’s and after-work evenings looked forward to ice skating at Winterhurst.  Later, she briefly attended Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, as a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Art.  

Bev had a variety of work experiences over the years.  For a decade, she worked for American President Lines.  When she decided to try something new, she bought a Naked Furniture franchise.  She also worked for the Salvation Army.  Eventually, her secretarial skills led her to a job with the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Virginia, following the 9/11 attacks.  Upon her retirement from her government service, Bev worked for Premier Physicians of Westlake.     

Being artistic and creative came naturally for Bev.  She created an elaborate embroidery on a gauze shirt in the 70s for her sister.  She also made intricate sweaters for her grandchildren when they were young.  One of her favorite art projects was making crafts out of seashells.  She loved the ocean, being near water, even though much of her life was not lived on the water.  When she wasn’t doing crafts, Bev enjoyed relaxing either reading a good book or watching one of her favorite sports teams - the Cleveland Indians, the Browns, and especially the Cavaliers.     

Beverly is survived by her daughter Laura Jean Tabor of Westlake; her brother David (Jean) Routa of Vadnais Heights, Minnesota; her sister Deborah (Russ) Johnson of Harvard, Illinois; her granddaughter Samantha (Jessie) Metrick of Parma, Ohio; her grandson Luke Tabor of Avon, Ohio, and many nieces and nephews.     

Bev was preceded in death by her grandparents Arthur and Flora (Putnam) Jones, her mother Miriam Bernice Routa, her birth father Robert W. Russon, her adoptive father Ladd Engholm, and her father Robert W. Routa.     

Bev’s kind heart, gentle spirit, and fun-loving outlook on life will be greatly missed.     

Friends and family are welcome to celebrate Bev’s life on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at Jenkins Funeral Chapel, 2914 Dover Center Road, Westlake, Ohio 44145.  There will be a visitation starting at 10 a.m. with a memorial service at Noon.  Interment will follow at Lakewood Park Cemetery in Rocky River, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Beverly’s name to The Humane Society or ASPCA or a local animal shelter.

I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.

They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make.

Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.

We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.

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