Kari Marie Beaver

As was her way, she quipped her typical little ditties until very near her passing, when she could only breathe words in whispers.

All but one of Marie’s grandparents were born in Norway and all ended up in Minnesota in the late 19th century. The next generation eventually moved to various parts of eastern Washington. She was born on June 9, 1921 in Ford, WA.

Marie was born to parents Cora Ruby Tveit née Grende and Peter William Tveit. Brother Peter was born before Marie and brother Herbert William (Corky) was born after. All of the Tveits were known for their wide, beaming grins. Marie would sometimes laugh so hard that she would just sit there with her mouth wide open and eyes closed in complete silence. At that point we all knew she was in the zone.

Marie and family eventually moved to Port Angeles, WA by way of Shelton, WA, with Marie starting elementary school in Port Angeles. Marie had very fond memories of Port Angeles, the town, and her close-knit group of friends whom she enjoyed throughout her life. She referred to them as “the gang”, within which she was known for her humor. The gang used to hike up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park from time to time and also dance to the big bands of the late 30’s at Clyde’s dance hall just outside of Port Angeles. Active to a fault, Marie was a football team cheerleader and center for the girls’ varsity basketball team. She graduated from Port Angeles High in 1939, and her yearbook chock full of remembrances from fellow students.

In 1939 or so, Marie got matched up with Jack Beaver, and they married in 1941, moving to Vancouver, WA in 1941. Their first child, Kaaren, was born in 1942 in Vancouver. Kathleen, number two, was born in 1944 in Camas. John, number three, was born in 1945 in Camas. And Gary, number four, was born in 1950 in Portland.

From 1945 until 1950, the family lived in Camas, Everett, Longview, and Portland. Sometime after Gary was born, the family moved back to Longview, and in 1957 returned to Portland, where Marie lived until her passing in 2024. All four children graduated from high school at either Sunset High School in Cedar Hills or Lincoln High School in Portland. In 1968, John died in a car accident, and in 2015, Kathleen died from natural causes.

Throughout her adult life, Marie’s passions included family, friends, golf, reading, crossword puzzles, cooking, and listening to music. She was an active letter writer, sending weekly typed or written updates to her parents, other family, and friends.

The family home – 1957 through the mid-70’s – was the site of regular Sunday dinners that often included extended family, visiting business associates of Jack, and various friends. Jack’s parents were frequent attendees, and occasionally his brother Masten and his daughter Annie Gail joined the family. It was a rare meal over those 20+ years that did not include a dessert prepared by Marie from scratch. The blackberry patch in the back yard filled many pies and tarts.

In Longview in the early 1950’s, Jack convinced Marie that she should try the sport of golf. She didn’t stop playing until she was in her mid-80’s, playing at private courses and public courses all over Portland and NW Oregon and SW Washington.

Divorced in the mid-70’s, she bought a condo near Gabriel Park and hosted many memorable family gatherings and meals until the mid 2000’s.

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From the mid-70’s into the mid-80’s, Marie found work in golf shops, as a nanny, and runway modeling (after taking a modeling course). She and friends enjoyed kicking up their heels at local dance spots, somewhat reminiscent of her high school dance excursions.

At the age of three, Marie came up missing at her home. Frantic family found her walking back home along the road to the nearby baseball field. All she said to explain her expedition was “Mmm ballpark”. To her disappointment, there was no game that day. Marie told and re-told this story to family members, along with many other anecdotes from her childhood.

In her later years, Marie became an avid baseball fan, rekindled by a golfing buddy’s son, Dale Murphy, who played for the Atlanta Braves. That Braves games were shown regularly on cable made it easy for her to get back into the national pastime. It didn’t hurt that Dale gave her an autographed baseball. Eventually, inspired by one of the “gang” who lived in Seattle, Marie adopted the Mariners as her team, writing down inning-by-inning game stats on a single sheet of paper for every game she watched, piling them in tall stacks.

In May 2007 at age 85, Marie moved into the Vista St. Clair apartments, where she lived independently for twelve years. She took pride in living her life the way she liked it; cooking her own meals, keeping her home tidy and ready for visitors, and enjoying her hobbies. She hosted many holiday meals on her trusty card table in the living room. She lived at the Vista until 2019 when she broke her hip for the second time and transitioned to assisted living. Eventually she moved into a skilled nursing home in late 2020 after a bout with COVID. She lived there until her passing in January 2024, cared for by a wonderful group of caregivers and doting family members.

On June 9, 2021, Marie celebrated her centennial year with a garden party attended by a crowd of adoring fans– old friends, extended family, and her son Gary’s gaggle of high school friends.

Marie’s granddaughter Ella’s birthday falls the day after Marie’s, so the pair had a tradition of sharing their birthday celebrations through the years. Ella will keep celebrating Marie every June in the spirit of Gemini parties past.

Marie is survived by her daughter Kaaren Beaver, son Gary Beaver, grandchildren Peter Buffington, Andrew Buffington, Justin Buffington, John O’Neil, and Ella Beaver, great-grandchildren Dylan Buffington, Max Buffington, Parker Buffington, Eugene Buffington, Tey Buffington, and Tallack O’Neil, and great-great-grandson Lars Buffington.

A celebration of life will be held on September 8, 2024 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm at TaborSpace in Portland, Oregon on the rising north slope of Mount Tabor. We will listen to Marie’s favorite music while we peruse photos and slides of Marie’s life. There will be microphones available for attendees to say whatever is on their minds. Last but not least, there will be snacks provided for those with an appetite for such things.

TaborSpace, 5441 Southeast Belmont Street, Portland, OR 97215

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