Beryl Bonner Cottrell

Beryl Bonner Cottrell died peacefully in her sleep on August 29, 2011, at the age of 75. Beloved mother, grandmother, and aunt, as well as a fun loving and kind adopted Mom to many area children and teens as they grew up. Beryl was well-known in Lyons, Colorado, as the Assistant Editor at the Lyons Recorder throughout the nineteen seventies. Her column, Hanging In There, became a mainstay, providing readers a chuckle each week as she related her personal and family life events with Erma Bombeck style humor. Later, she became a tax preparer in Longmont for many years prior to her retirement. Beryl was born in Leadville, Colorado, on March 27, 1936 to parents Quentin and Florence Bonner. At age three, with the untimely passing of her father, Beryl moved to Boulder, Colorado, where she grew up and attended Boulder High School. She always said she spent her childhood as a tomboy, wanting to play in the dirt and fix things as opposed to learning to be a proper lady. As a young woman, Beryl began attending nursing school at the University of Colorado, while also working at Twin Burger restaurant. It was here she met James Cottrell of the Colorado State Patrol. The two married in 1956. They enjoyed thirty years together, built their own large home just outside Lyons and raised three children. James passed away in 1987 at which time Beryl moved to Longmont, Colorado.Beryl was a strong, independent woman with a no-nonsense style. A mix of Irish and Swede, Beryl faced the world on her own terms. Tough, intelligent and always a straight talker, she endeared herself as the family matriarch to many cousins, nieces and nephews. Stoic in the face of her own life's tragedies, the death of her brother Quentin Bud Bonner in 1978 followed by her mother the same year, Beryl carried on with a quiet determination that was inspirational to all those around her.After retirement, Beryl spent her time reading, relaxing and being a loving and protective mother to Gary Cottrell, Sandy Cottrell and Robert Cottrell. She loved her grandchildren, Tony Cottrell and Janette Cottrell. Her eyes would light up when she saw her family enter her home.Beryl will always be remembered for her dry wit, biting sense of humor, and the deep and abiding love with which she nurtured her family and friends. A memorial celebration of Beryl's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at the home of Gary and Deborah Cottrell, 3736 Roberts Street in Mead, Colorado. Persons wishing to commemorate Beryl's life are encouraged to make a contribution to the Longmont Humane Society, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, CO 80501.