Rose Marie Beasley

There’s a plaque up in heaven with several inscriptions on it. The first one says, “Heaven’s Largest Hot Fudge Sundae Party” and next to it is the date, March 20, 2019. That also happens to be the day that the most exceptional and delightful person we ever knew, Rose Marie Beasley, left her home in Yakima for a new celestial address. Coincidence? We think not.

Rose Marie Wiley was born on June 17, 1928, in New Sharon, Iowa, to John Walton and Clare (Huffman-Walton-Wiley). Her parents, brother John Walton Jr., two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Petermeyer and Gayllis Paynter, and her loving husband of 57 years, Dr. Robert W. Beasley, preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter Karyn Ball (Mark Edler), grandsons Andrew and Christopher Ball, great-grandsons Kaden and Jaxon Ball, her brother Dr. Gene (Karen) Wiley, sisters-in-law Barbara Clevenger and Katherine (Leo) O’Dore, Mark Edler’s children Zachary and Jessica Edler (Jake Silva), and our second family, the Parrishes.

After graduating from Vancouver High School in 1945, Rose Marie journeyed to Washington State College (now WSU) where she would become – and forever remain – an enthusiastic Cougar. She was a proud member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and graduated from WSC in 1950, with a major in English and a minor in secretarial studies. In 1951, at the Coulee Dam Community Church, Rose Marie married Dr. Robert Beasley, the once and forever man of her dreams. She spent the next two years as a devoted U.S. Army wife, travelling to Texas, Georgia, Virginia and Europe. After living for one year in France, the newlyweds returned to Coulee Dam in 1953 where Bob opened a dental practice.

Bob and Rose Marie moved to Yakima in the fall of 1955, where Bob and his long-time friend, Dr. Richard Stiles, opened the Westpark Medical-Dental Center. Rose Marie would call Yakima her home for the rest of her life.

Rose Marie was very proud of her community and was extraordinarily generous with her time and talents. She was a past president and sustaining member of Junior League (then Junior Aid) and a past president and member of the Leslie Loudon Hospital Guild. She served on the board of Yakima Town Hall, and was a member of the Yakima Valley Dental Auxiliary, the WSU and Tri-Delta Alumni Associations, and the Holiday Charter Dance Club. She was also a charter member of the Eastern Washington Bridge Club and several other bridge clubs, Christmas lunch bunch, birthday lunch group, the fun-loving stitch-and-bitch group, and spent many years as an active member of the Yakima Tennis Club.

Some of Rose Marie’s favorite times were spent next to Bob in one of their quirky Citroëns, touring the country and getting to know Citroën repair shops in far flung locales. Rose Marie became an expert at scouting out the “blue roads” on the map, which Bob insisted on taking. Rose Marie also enjoyed skiing, golf, and cribbage, and was a whiz at crossword puzzles.

She was an amazing cook and loved to entertain her family and friends, and was blessed with the greatest group of smart, creative, caring, compassionate friends, who loved playing bridge, going to Starbucks, and celebrating birthdays.

If you counted Rose Marie among your friends, you were indeed fortunate. She loved her family and friends and was truly grateful for all they brought to her life, and she gave all she had right back to them. She was truly a blessing to everyone who knew her, and we will miss her beyond measure.

Now back to that plaque. There’s one space on it for “World’s Most Eccentric Citroën Driver,” an honor bestowed on her blue-highway-loving husband, Bob. Next to the awards for “Best Lemon Bars,” “Best Dog Doos” and “Best Hot Fudge Sauce” is the name of none other than Rose Marie, herself. Then there are three slots – all blank at the moment – for “Seattle Mariners World Series Champion,” “Gonzaga University NCAA Tournament Champion,” and “WSU Cougars Rose Bowl Champion.” It was Rose Marie’s intent to move to a place where she could be closer to someone who could influence all three of those outcomes.

We will celebrate Rose Marie’s life at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 at Cascade Garden, located at 5704 W. Washington Ave. Memorial contributions may be made to WSU football, the Tri-Delta sorority chapter Theta Nu, or the charity of your choice, c/o Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Avenue, 98902.