Welcome,

Please add sentiments, thoughts or memories about Beverly in the comments below to help her memory live on. Thank you.

Memorial

Beverly’s Memorial will take place on November 19, 2022 in her home. All friends, family and those who cherished Bev are welcome.

Location: 409 Wave Ave, Half Moon Bay, California

Time: 1-4pm

Other Considerations: If you own any Designing Women creations, please wear your outfits or something with colors and patterns. When it came to Bev, fashion and flare were of great importance.

Contact: Please email camillekelley@gmail.com or emilyelizabethkelley@gmail.com for any questions.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to:

Expanding Your Horizons Math Conference for Young Women

https://foundation.smccd.edu/sky-eyh.php

Donations are tax deductible

The Story of Bev’s Life:

Beverly Jane Landess was with her family when she passed away peacefully in her Half Moon Bay home by the ocean, on September 21st 2022. She was 90 years old.

Beverly is survived by her brother William Turner, daughters Maryl Landess and Marnie Kelley, her granddaughters Camille and Emily Kelley, Gabrielle and Amelia Landess and by her son-in-law and daughter-in-law Mark Kelley and Elizabeth Gong Landess. Beverly was predeceased by her husband James Landess, son James Landess, Jr., grandson Ryan Kelley and son-in-law Michael Halvorson.

The daughter of Leslie Gordon and Dorothy Turner, known by her family and friends as Bev and by her grandchildren affectionately as “Dobby”, she was born in Boise, Idaho and had fond memories of growing up on the family ranch near the rural town of Harlan, Oregon. Bev graduated from Eddyville High School and began her college education at Oregon State University.

In 1951, Beverly married James (“Jim”) Landess of Chitwood Oregon. Soon after, they moved to Annette Island in Alaska, the beginning of their 66-year adventure together.

Bev and Jim settled in Sunnyvale, California in 1954 where they started their family. Nineteen years later, they moved to a lovely home on the ocean in Half Moon Bay with their three children, where they enjoyed hosting family parties over the years.

While raising her kids, Bev resumed her education at San Jose State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree with a major in Home Economics and a minor in Mathematics.

Bev then began what became an eighteen year career teaching mathematics at Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate School in Half Moon Bay, CA, where she was known as Mrs. Landess. Bev’s unique method of teaching students and belief in the potential of her students, led her to be remembered far beyond her teaching years as a beloved mentor.

Bev took particular interest in the advancement of young girls and women in the studies of math and science. This led to her involvement and support of her students through Expanding Your Horizons, a conference created to inspire girls to recognize their potential and pursue career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Bev went on to earn a masters degree in Mathematics Education at the University of San Francisco, her thesis focusing on encouraging young women in STEM fields.

A multi-talented and multi-faceted woman, Bev was extremely creative, which led to entrepreneurial pursuits as well. Bev started an antique business alongside her husband Jim, and then created a fashion brand of wearable art pieces with her good friend and fellow Cunha teacher, Berta Bray. Their clothing brand Designing Women became well known and loved. Her loyal customer base appreciated the unique and quirky expression of her one-of-a-kind garments.

Bev was known for her love of food, outgoing personality, humor, loyalty to her friends and her love of family, travel, and especially travel with family. An avid reader of both classics and mysteries, Bev also loved shopping, decorating her house, and going out to lunch, especially at Barbara’s Fish Trap. She was a woman of wit, creativity and innovation, and never hesitated to share her opinions. She was a forward thinker with a sincere desire to know people, and accept them as they are.

She will be missed.

Her family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers Rose and Guilie for their dedicated support and friendship during her final years.