Beverly M. Stratton

Beverly M. Stratton, Age 89, passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2016, just shy of her 90th birthday.  She lived a full and happy life, never shirking from a challenge and always embracing friendships and love.  She will be remembered particularly for her motivation to care for others.

Beverly was born and grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She attended the University of Minnesota and worked in the Physics Department where she met Bill Stratton.  Upon his graduation, they married and moved to Los Alamos, sight unseen for Beverly.  This became her home for the next 61 years.  

She loved New Mexico with its beauty, culture, and diversity, but never forgot her Swedish heritage.  Beverly said that everyone in Los Alamos came from somewhere else, leaving their families behind, and “so our friends became our family.”  She had many circles of friends, which often overlapped, revolving around family, work, church, hiking group, travel, music, as well as the places they lived, including the first house on 7th Street, France, Pajarito Acres, Oppenheimer Place, and at Atria Vista del Rio in Albuquerque.  

Beverly worked at the medical office of Dr. Richard Honsinger for many years.  Following her retirement, she volunteered in a variety of ways: Bandelier Visitor Center, the Hospital Auxiliary of Los Alamos Medical Center, the Los Alamos Historical Society and others.  She and Bill loved to travel and were fortunate enough to do so extensively.  

Beverly had many hobbies including sewing, knitting, and needlepoint.  Her  hands were rarely idle.  She was an avid reader, a scrabble and crossword player extraordinaire, a bridge player, an excellent and adventurous cook, a skier (both cross country and downhill), a walker and hiker.

She is survived by her three daughters: Nancy (Gary Echert), Gail (Pat Miller), and Sheila (David Capute); Fred Lundquist (Shannon), a nephew who was like a son to her; five grandsons: Joshua, Brendan, William, Michael and Matthew; as well as nieces and nephews.  

She leaves a legacy of generosity and caring that touched so many and remains woven into the lives of others.  

A Memorial Service will be held on October 15th, 2016, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Los Alamos at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Doctors Without Borders or Roadrunner Food Bank in Albuquerque, NM, both charities she supported in life.