Beverly Helen (Dull) Whitcomb died in her home on November 17 after living with cancer for just over a year. She led a life marked by generosity, kindness, and creativity, and she was fully active until her last month.
Born on May 15, 1931, in Pampa, Texas, Beverly was the second of two children born to George and Helen Dull of Trinidad, Colorado. After living in many places throughout the West, her family eventually settled in La Mesa. At Grossmont High School, she was her class salutatorian and was active in many organizations, serving in such capacities as class vice president and as a cheer and song leader at athletic events.
Beverly graduated with honors from San Diego State College in three years, majoring in education. She married Ken Whitcomb, her high school sweetheart, and together they moved to his Air Force posts in several states and later to Riverside so he could attend dental school. In 1966 they returned to La Mesa, where she lived for the rest of her life. They had four children, Laurie, Steve, Kym, and Jennifer. The family enjoyed camping trips and boating on Lake Powell.
Always dedicated to her children and to the children of the community, Beverly was a kindergarten teacher, a scout leader, and a literacy specialist. For more than 20 years, she was a stalwart PTA member at Lemon Avenue Elementary School, La Mesa Junior High School, and Helix High School, where she spent untold hours organizing carnivals, supervising budgets, and coordinating graduation events. For four decades she fostered the religious growth of the children at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, where she was a vacation bible school director and Sunday school teacher. She was particularly gifted with arts and crafts, constantly inventing new projects that illuminated books and bible stories for the countless children whose lives she touched.
Beverly was blessed with a large family that was near to her in spirit and in geography: all of her children and grandchildren live in California, mostly in San Diego County. She delighted in taking her grandchildren on trips and attending their sporting events, recitals, and plays. She spent her later years knitting, gardening, cultivating her lifelong interest in Southwestern American Indian culture, and caring for her relatives, both young and old. Beverly is survived by her three daughters, by her eleven grandchildren, who knew her as “Wawee,” and by her brother, George.
There will be a viewing from 2 to 4 p.m. on November 24 at The Little Lodge at Glen Abbey, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita. A service celebrating Beverly’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on December 23 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 5150 Wilson Street, La Mesa. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Luke’s or to City of Hope National Medical Center.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18