Beverly Carmela Poage

Beverly was born on August 15, 1941 in Portland, Oregon to Albert and Olga Barbar. She was the oldest of four siblings.

Deaf since infancy, Beverly grew up in the “hearing world”, learning to speak/read lips from her father, as well as at Hosford School. She then attended and graduated from Washington High School. After graduation she worked in the accounting department of the Safeway grocery chain.

As an adult, Beverly socialized more with other deaf friends, and learned American Sign Language. She met her future husband, Daniel Poage (also deaf) in 1963. They married on August 01, 1964, settling in the Woodstock neighborhood of southeast Portland.

Beverly’s life shifted to motherhood with the birth of her son, Paul on February 22, 1968, and then daughter Ann, on April 10, 1970. She created a loving and caring home for her children as they grew into school years and beyond.

Beverly and Dan were long active in the Portland Catholic Deaf community. They attended sign-language interpreted masses along with their children. Beverly attended Bible study in this community and created cherished friendships within it.

Beverly had a great love for life, family and friends. She enjoyed coffee shops, flowers and shopping. She especially loved her grandsons, Ann’s children, Trey and Tanner. She and Dan spent plenty of time with them as they grew, taking care of them before they were school-aged when Ann went back to work. Once the boys were older, they would pick them up after school.

Beverly was predeceased by her parents and by her sister Marie Garre.

She is survived by her loving spouse, Dan, her son Paul, and daughter Ann Depretto (Mike). Also surviving are grandsons, Trey Depretto and Tanner Depretto, brother David Barbar, sister Carmela Barbar (Alan Dennison), brother-in-law Albert Garre and niece Alison Garre (late sister Marie’s husband and daughter).

A Catholic funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church on Friday, December 13, 2024 at 11am, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.