Beverly Osborn

Beverly was born in Superior, Nebraska on August 3, 1929, to Monta Loree and Sterling Edward Tabor.  She was welcomed into heaven on September 1, 2022, with her daughter and son by her side.

Beverly had many wonderful memories of growing up in a small town in Nebraska, and experienced enduring friendships. Bev was an only child as was her cousin Carlee who lived around the corner. They were, from the youngest of ages, as close as sisters, and so it remained throughout the course of their lives.

Bev was always a strong student and excelled in music, theater, and the debate team, and she was a talented artist.

After beginning her college education at Kearney State Teachers College, Bev completed her degree at the University of Denver, majoring in English.  Immediately upon graduation, she accepted a position at Alameda High School in Lakewood.  She was a natural born teacher and loved her students and colleagues, with whom she remained close.

As fate would have it, she discovered a fellow student from Kearney, Max Osborn, a teacher and coach at Alameda. They hadn’t known each other well in college, but Max had gallantly carried her across a deep snowbank after a play one night. The two were senior class sponsors and soon began dating, trying to do so discreetly, though their students were already on to them.  They were married in 1954 and that meant Bev had to leave her Alameda teaching position according to the rules.  Bev and Max were grateful that so many of their former students stayed in touch, and they affectionately referred to them as their “kids”, though some of them were just three or four years younger than Bev. Max and Bev were married 62 years, until Max’s passing in 2016.

Once her children were older, she returned to the classroom as a special education teacher and a Chapter 1 reading specialist. She worked for Jefferson County Schools, back at Alameda, as well as at Jefferson High School, Eiber Elementary, and Stein Elementary. She loved literature and was passionate about helping reading come alive for children. She had many clever strategies for fostering decoding skills, mastering tricky sight words, and improving comprehension. Her friendships with her colleagues at Stein were among the most cherished of her life.

Love and support imbued every relationship of Bev’s, but especially those with her family. She had so many gifts for mothering and being a grandma. She was an encourager, helper, comforter, doctor, counselor, teacher, listener, and friend.  Her grandchildren looked forward to sleepovers with her, at which she instilled in them a fondness for card games, make-believe play, reading, and cinnamon rolls with extra crisp bacon. Bev stayed apprised of their every hope and dream and never missed an opportunity to express her confidence that they would come true. She prioritized her children and grandchildren’s happiness, no matter how labor intensive.

Beverly is survived by her daughter, Monnie (Bob) Barrett; her son, David; her grandchildren Alexander, Chloe, and Mia; and her cousin, Carlee Langin.  She was preceded in death by her mother and father; her bonus mother, Helen Tabor; and her husband, Max. Her memorial service is scheduled for October 20, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, 11500 W. 20th Avenue, in Lakewood.  A private burial was held in Superior in September.