My dear Sister, Bev

I have been delaying telling you about my sister.  My oldest sister, Beverly, passed away on July 18, 2011 from a rare cancer called Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.  Bev had been diagnosed many years ago with leukemia but not until recently did they discover it was Waldenstrom's.  She was a strong woman in every sense of the word and I greatly admired her.  Along with her husband of 54 years, Ray, she raised six beautiful children.  Can you imagine, 54 years of marriage.  I am so in awe of that statistic.  For as long as I can remember, Bev and Ray lived up by the Canadian border.  Within the last 6 years they had moved to Thief River Falls, MN to be closer to health care facilities.  Because she lived "up north" I didn't have the opportunity to see her much but we took our mother on a couple of trips that were probably more fun for us than for mom but oh well.  I last seen her on May 28 of this year when Dave and I went "up north" for great neice, Ashley's, graduation.  Bev's entire family was there, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  This testiment of her love for family is her legacy.  I can only hope that my family pays tribute to me as her family has to her.  The times together, though few, I will cherish forever.  I miss her so much and my one regret is that we did not spend more time together.  Goodbye my sweet and loving sister, rest in peace and know that your legace of family will live on forever.  I love you.

Top photo: My sister Beverly and husband, Raymond

Bottom photo: Lori and Randy Masloski with mom and dad