Beverly Sue Ekstrom-Haarman

A native of Arizona, born in Globe in 1935, Beverly grew up in Phoenix on Earl Dr and attended West High. Education was always quite an important issue to her. She started out as a young public school teacher with a degree in education from the University of Arizona. Later she completed an MA in secondary school administration.

Her adventures really jump-started in the late 1950s when she was accepted by the Department of Defense to teach school first in Mexico and later in Japan, Germany, and finally Spain for 14 years with one interim year in Hawaii.

Beverly had many admirers over her lifetime, but preferred to stay free and independent, leaving plenty of disappointed fellows along the way! But in the early 1970’s she met a handsome Dutchman named Johan Haarman, a civil engineer who worked on various continents. He won her over with his charm and charisma. They eloped in Gibraltar, and her only daughter Sheryl was born in Madrid, Spain in 1975.

Beverly moved back to Phoenix, AZ in the Encanto Palmcroft neighborhood in 1979, where she began a long successful real estate career as “the” Historic Neighborhood Specialist and became a true legend in the area. Her ambition and work ethic were impressive, and the name Bev Haarman became quite well-known for over three decades in downtown central Phoenix.

Her great love was traveling to foreign places; She visited over 100 different countries, even qualifying her to join the Centennial Club. Her gorgeous and unusual Spanish-style home has always been filled with beautifully interesting art and antiques she’s collected worldwide.

Beverly was a woman of tradition. She was infamous for her annual Christmas Eve open house, which included not only family and close friends but also others who had nowhere else to go. She was generous and compassionate to those who crossed her path needing a hand.

Every year for 40 years, Beverly would visit the same place in Puerto Vallarta, where they would tell her “welcome home” every time. Sometimes she’d go alone, most often with various friends- but she always went back.

Once she retired, a typical day consisted of lunch out with friends, shopping at boutiques or department stores, cruising the neighborhood in her white Mercedes, or spending time with her 3 grandchildren. And of course she continued on with two or more trips a year to foreign destinations!

Always a woman of class, she was quite into fashion and advised to “try to always look your best”. She used to joke that she had just two addictions: traveling and shopping. Even window shopping would do!

Beverly truly lived her life to the fullest and embodied two mottos: 1) be your own best friend, and 2) go travel to see the world!

Her grandchildren adored her. She played little games with them and created imaginative worlds with fun characters who periodically reappeared at her house when they were visiting. Always the teacher, she made sure each one practiced good handwriting (even cursive!), as well as table manners and respect for elders.

Beverly wanted to live to the max and she sure did! She determinedly fought and won stage four cancer in 2018, but it unfortunately returned 5 years later. Ever the optimist, she never complained even up to the end.

Beverly is survived by her daughter Sheryl Haarman, three grandchildren, Johana, Thomas and Everly, and her brother Walter Ekstrom. She is greatly missed. Her legacy in the Encanto Palmcroft neighborhood and with her family will continue to live on always.

The Celebration of life service will be held at The Valley Garden Center 1809 N 15th Ave on Friday, May 26 at 5:30pm