Beverly Jane Honcoop

Beverly Jane Honcoop

Beverly Jane Honcoop passed peacefully on March 25 at the age of 87.

Bev was born to Harry and Lydia Assink on Nov. 4, 1935 in Sumas. She joined siblings Wes and Ellen. Little brother Bob followed.

The family moved around a lot during Bev’s growing up years. She learned to be a hard worker and took on responsibilities at an early age.

Bev graduated from Lynden High School in 1953 and married Lawrence Honcoop on Aug. 7 of the same year. 

Bev and Lawrence spent the first months of their marriage in California as he finished his stint in the Air Force. 

They returned to Lynden, bought a dairy farm and worked on it together. She was Lawrence’s best tractor driver and chore partner, feeding calves and cleaning the milking equipment as well helping put up feed. 

Soon they were parents to four boys: Barry, Randy, Lonnie and Rick. Daughter Cindy completed the family. With the boys to help Lawrence, Bev filled her days with homemaking – baking, cooking, canning, and freezing. She hosted many large family gatherings. 

Bev enjoyed many activities: bowling, needlework, genealogy, quilting, Bible study fellowship. 

She volunteered in many capacities at her church and helped with the LHS all-classes reunion for many years.

Bev was faithful to visit her older friends when they became shut in. She loved to rock her grandbabies and great-grands, enjoying their activities as they grew up. 

Whatever endeavor she took on, Bev was faithful to it and always gave it her best effort. 

Bev is remembered for her deep loyalty for those she loved, her diligence to serve, her concern to do what is right and her steadfast trust that God would take her through hard times. 

Bev is survived by her husband of 69 years, Lawrence; sons Barry (Lynn)Honcoop of Spokane, Randy (Leslie) Honcoop, Lonnie (Debbie) Honcoop of Lynden, daughter Cindy Versteeg of Lynden, nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law Shirley Assink, Marilyn Assink/Simon, Janet Honcoop, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bev looked forward to the reunion with her son Rick and many other loved ones in the presence of the Lord.

Bev was blessed by the skilled and loving care she received from the staff at Christian Healthcare Center and Whatcom Hospice. Her family is so grateful for the kindness and dignity they gave her in the days of her passing.

A memorial service will be held Saturday April 1, 11 a.m. at United Methodist Church 500 N. 14th St. Lynden. Private interment will be held at Monumenta Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Christian Health Care Center 855 Aaron Drive, Lynden, WA 98264 or  Whatcom Hospice Foundation, whatcomhospice.org/donate-online.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.