Beverly Jean Mates

Beverly Jean Mates, 69,  died Tuesday, August 18, 2015 with family at her side at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, California, following a serious, sudden illness.   Bev was born March 20, 1946 to the late John and Sarah Mates of East Galesburg. She graduated from Knoxville High School in 1965 and fell in love with the San Francisco Bay area following a visit shortly after graduation. She moved there in 1967 and proudly worked for Kaiser Permanente Hospital for many years, later serving as a hostess at Sunset Magazine.   She is survived by her sister, Betty (Jim) Clifford of Altona, niece Loretta (Randy) Budd of Phoenix, Arizona, niece Stephanie Woertz of Galesburg, niece Jeanie Clifford of Altona, and nephew Jeff (Theo) Clifford of Sausalito, California. Also surviving are several great nieces and nephews, as well as a half-brother, Richard Mates, in Lowell, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as siblings from her father’s previous marriage.   Bev was a generous and loving sister and aunt and although the miles separated her from her local family, she would visit often and was a prolific sender of hundreds of “care packages” to her beloved sister and family over the years. She would call almost daily and sometimes several times a day, just to check in. She was a thoughtful letter writer and would often share her reflections about the San Francisco fog and the beautiful redwoods that surrounded her. She will be buried under the towering pine, oak and walnut trees alongside her family at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Altona, following a private family service. Her calls, letters and love are already missed.   Donations in Aunt Bev’s memory can be made to the Galesburg Rescue Mission.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg.