July 11, 1950 - March 29, 2011

Devoted Wife and Mother and Exceptional Travel Companion...

Terri Lyn Beam, devoted wife and mother and exceptional travel companion, who battled breast cancer with exceptional courage and humor for 17 years, succumbed March 29, 2011. She was 60.

Born July 11, 1950 in Seattle to Wallace Arleigh and Beryl Jean Betzina, Terri was raised on Vashon Island and later in Marysville, where she graduated from high school.

She began her professional career in 1969 when she went to work for the GTE phone company. After that, she worked for Pacific Northwest Bell, which then became US West, and later, Qwest Communications. She retired from US West in 2000.

She married Rodney Mulvaney, Sr. in 1968 and they later divorced in 1979. Terri and Paul F. Beam married in September, 1984 at the Snoqualmie Falls overlook.

Terri was an accomplished fabric designer who enjoyed her children, animals of every variety, gardening, sewing, knitting, beadwork, crocheting, jigsaw puzzles and reading.

Another source of enjoyment was travel. Together with Paul, they crisscrossed the planet, visiting more than 65 countries in their 27 year marriage.

Terri experienced a rich and full life and was at peace as she neared her passing. She lived her life and ultimately her final days with grace and dignity.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Paul, sons Geoffrey Mulvaney, Maui (HI) and Holland Mulvaney, Sumner (WA); a sister, Cindi Lutfi, Dubai (UAE); brothers Kim Betzina, Petersburg (AK), and Kirk Betzina, Jeffersonville (VT); and her parents in Mesa (AZ). She was preceded in death by her son Rodney Mulvaney, Jr.; a sister, Christi Riggs, and a brother, Mike Betzina.

Though she will be profoundly missed, we would hope that you remember Terri in the context of this quote from Helen Keller: “What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

Please post comments and remembrances.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

A celebration of Terri’s life will be held April 23 at the “On Silver Lake” building (11525 19th Ave SE, directions available below,) from 1 to 5 pm. Food, fellowship and memories will be served. All who knew Terri are invited to attend, and we ask that you pass the invitation along to others who knew her, but everyone please RSVP with a headcount to paul@hereNthere.net for planning purposes. Please note that the “hall” we are using is on the second floor, with no elevator.