Lillian Gould

Lillian Lorraine Beuzer Gould Sept 1930 – November 2020 Lillian was born in the Beuzer family home on McKinley Avenue in South Tacoma in late September of 1930, the youngest of Vincent and Augusta’s three children. She grew up in that house, working at the family grocery store next door, and playing with her siblings and the neighboring kids from other ‘Old Country’ Italian-Slavonian families. She went to church and attended grade-school down the street at Sacred Heart and later Aquinas Academy. Intelligent and well-rounded, she excelled in academics, sports, music, and student government, graduating at the age of 16. From Aquinas she transitioned to nursing training at Providence Hospital (now Seattle University) beginning a lifetime of work tending to the physical and spiritual well-being of others. By age 19 she was working as a registered nurse in Providence’s OR. She spent the next several years nursing at hospitals in Seattle, Tacoma, San Francisco; at the Madigan Army Hospital; and finally, assisting orthopedic surgeons in private practice. She was married at 29 and walked away from her occupation in nursing when she became a mother at age 30. Leaving her formal nursing career behind did not alter her focus on the comfort of others. Instead, it became a catalyst for her to expand her scope to a great many other people. She supported the needs and frequent convalescence of the elderly in her extended family. She refused to allow the latter part of their lives to be lived in homes where they didn’t know anyone and cared for all of them until they passed. Many times she converted the kitchen to an operating theater, laying her own children, her spouse, and even a few injured neighbor kids on the table to treat mishaps. Having passed down her athleticism to her offspring, she stood on the sidelines at countless games, available to treat any injuries that occurred on the field. Lillian’s caring efforts extended into her spiritual community as well. A devout Catholic, she was very active in her church. She brought Holy Communion and The Good Word to individuals in their homes, in hospitals, at nursing facilities, and even in prisons. Equipped with an extraordinary depth of understanding, and supported by a unique relationship with her brother, Fr. Vince Beuzer, S.J., she provided spiritual guidance and direction to many who requested her support throughout the years (and maybe even a subsequently grateful few who didn’t really ask for it, but who would grow to recognize the benefit of her support for the rest of their lives). She also had an operatic singing voice and spent many a Sunday expressing her love of Jesus Christ from within the church choir. Though Lillian spent much of her life providing care for others, her unquestionable focus was on her family. She married Robert Thomas (Tom) Gould in 1959 and together they expanded their family with four children in the next eight years. Starting a family at age 30 in 1960, she was considered an ‘older’ mother, and despite a husband who traveled extensively for work, her energy and commitment never wavered. She filled the home with good food, fun, and lots of love. She drove car pools (occasionally backing down the road in reverse to enliven the routine) and created tasty after-school snacks with hidden (from all the children) nutritional value. An accomplished self-taught seamstress, she sewed everyday clothes, school and work uniforms, window coverings and tablecloths for every season. and costumes of all kinds in the wee hours while everyone else slept. She attended all the sporting games and performances (there were a lot); volunteered on and led school committees in support of her children’s interests; led singalongs on family road trips, and still made time to play - at home, in the yard, on the ski hill, camping, and in the boat or at the beach. As her children got older, she continued to share her wisdom, offering guidance, support, and comfort in numerous ways. As Nana to what she referred to as “a good-looking crew” of eight grandchildren, Lillian kept up her energy. She staged many a sleepover, helped build forts in the kitchen, stocked up on VHS movies and tapes of soothing kids’ music, and equipped the backyard with a swing set and games. She cheered for slip-n-slide sessions on the hill in the front yard, and presided over, frequently winning, epic croquet tournaments in the back. She always followed up with root beer floats. She taught the kids to play cards and giggled when she made others Draw 4 (or 8 or 12) during intense games of Jump In UNO. She often won those too – much to the chagrin of those grandchildren as they grew older. She supported the grandkids’ interests too, attending their special events as much as she could. She introduced another generation to the wonders of ‘Nana rice,’ pork chops and applesauce, fried chicken, Texas sheath cake, the world’s most amazing mashed potatoes, and holiday cookies. Lillian enjoyed spending time at home, and she was an excellent homemaker. She kept a toolbox in the broom closet and didn’t shy away from projects, big or small. She figured out how to do it all long before YouTube. She painted every wall in their Tacoma house at least once, if not three times. She canned annually enough fruit and jam for the coming year. She enjoyed gardening, even weeding, and was an enthusiastic pruner. Her rhododendrons in spring were always a lovely sight. When she and Tom relocated to Idaho a few years back, she was excited to have a new canvas - inside and out. Despite having minimal formal training, she wielded impressive piano playing skills and found much joy in impromptu jam sessions. She was a fan of Opera, particularly of Pavarotti and Caruso. She loved to read and play games and always enjoyed walloping her children, grandchildren, and any unsuspecting guest in a game of UNO, Scrabble, or Backgammon. Lillian had a sense of adventure. Both as a single young woman and during her married life, she enjoyed traveling to visit family, friends, and see locations of interest all over the US. She loved the changes of the seasons but gravitated to the sunny spots. She and Tom spent several years of retirement trading the wet Northwest winters for Arizona heat where she cultivated her tan and, at age 60, learned to play golf. Age wasn’t a limiting factor; she river rafted in Idaho in her 70s and celebrated her 80th birthday with a awestruck parasailing flight over Puget Sound, fulfilling her longtime bucket list goal. Lillian passed away at her home in Boise, cared for by family, just as she wanted. Her faith in God was strong and she is assured a peaceful place with Him. She is survived by her children: Patrick, Michael, Mary, and Meghan (Rob); her grandchildren Kelly, Kevin, Colin, Katie (Sanders), Madeline, Stefany, and Kelcey; and her sister Mary. She came. She loved. She was loved. Toodles Mom. We will miss you.