Obituary of Beverly Louise Racho

It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Beverly Racho on April 7, 2021 at Mountainview Lodge in Lillooet, BC at the age of 89 years.

Beverly was born in Vancouver, BC on February 26,1932, an only child, to parents Harold and Lillian Smith. At an early age they moved to Richmond, BC and as a young girl, Beverly helped her parents on their small plot of land where they grew tulips and other products for sale. This started her love of flowers and gardening, in all places that she called home. Mom also loved singing and was part of the chorus in many on stage musical plays in Richmond when she was in high school and continued participating in the musical plays until she moved to Lillooet. Mom graduated in spring of 1950 from Richmond High School and in the fall, she met her future husband Elmer John Racho at a square dance. In 1952, Beverly was taken on a 4-month trip, by her parents to England/Wales to meet her Aunts and Uncles. Mom and Dad were married on July 16,1954 in Richmond, BC where they had 4 daughters from 1955 to 1961. Mom worked in Richmond at the Royal Bank followed by the School Board office. She also learnt bookkeeping, which she did her entire life, starting with her father’s various companies, Harold Smith Ltd., Clayton Homes and Vanguard Trailers.

In June 1970, Beverly and Elmer bought Riverland Farms Ltd. and moved their family to Lillooet, BC to produce quality hay. In Lillooet, Mom continued to do bookkeeping for their farm as well as many other businesses in the area. She was known for being very meticulous in her work and she loved her job. In addition to the bookkeeping, as well as helping on the farm, running equipment when needed, Mom took part in a few volunteer organizations such as the Lillooet Ladies Hospital Auxiliary and served many years on the Lillooet Hospital board. Mom liked watching sports and she became a regular at the local softball games, where she became a score keeper for many seasons.

The summer of 1994 Elmer and Beverly sold Riverland Farms and retired to Creston, BC. They lived in a couple of different areas of Creston, but their last few years they moved onto Don and Pat’s property, into their own modular home. As usual, Mom continued with her gardening and bookkeeping until later in life when Alzheimer’s progression made it impossible for her to continue. Mom went into care in 2015, first in Creston, then to Lillooet.

Beverly was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Lillian Smith, husband Elmer, daughter Linda Racho, brothers-in-law, Bill Goll, Clifford Racho, and Allan Forsyth, sister-in-law Polly Forsyth, nephews David Forsyth and Wilf Goll, and niece April Menzies.

Beverly will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by her daughters, Pat (Don) Fritz of Creston, BC, June (Dwayne) Miller of Lillooet, BC, Kris (Glad) Kane of Kamloops, BC, grandsons Josh and Max Bissat of Victoria BC, Garrett (Jess) Miller of Vancouver, BC, brother-in-law Bob Racho of Hedley, BC, nieces Carol Forsyth, Barb Morecroft, and Debbie Gunderson and nephews Victor and Ed Goll.

Our mom Beverly was a loving and caring person, and we were all extremely blessed to have her as our mother. We will always miss her, but she is now at peace with her husband and daughter Linda.

We love you Mom!

No Service by request.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to Mountainview Lodge, Box 585, Lillooet, BC V0K 1V0.

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