Beverly Grimes

A natural people person, Beverly Grimes enjoyed a life filled with friendship and laughter. Beverly possessed a terrific wit and was often the life of the party. Whether spending a day at the beach or casino, tending to a client, traveling, or playing cards with friends, Beverly embraced each day as a gift and every person as a friend.

Harold and Evelyn Grimes welcomed their daughter Beverly to their family on August 12 in Lawrence, Michigan where they lived until she was four years old.

Beverly grew up in South Haven on a small farm where her father was a mechanic at the Ford garage in South Haven. Beverly enjoyed the good company of her five siblings. Going to town was a special treat for her, and most of the entertainment Beverly enjoyed was at the beach at South Haven and participating in school activities. She learned to swim off the pier on Lake Michigan, and in time, she earned a life-saving certificate, an accomplishment she always looked upon fondly. She was also on the synchronized swimming team in High School and traveled to many resorts to perform.

After graduating from South Haven High School, Beverly attended beauty school in Kalamazoo desiring to become a beautician. For over fifty years, Beverly worked as a beautician, caring for many residents of Kalamazoo. She built her first salon in the Parkview Hills complex, a new and innovated community in Kalamazoo. She later cared for many of the Sisters of St. Joseph at her salon in Dillon Hall on the campus of Nazareth College. While at Nazareth, the sisters would help watch over her young daughter, Natalie. Beverly was very talented and personable. She naturally related to people and had a good listening ear. She made many friends and connected to a lot of people through her work.

Outside of work, Beverly enjoyed chasing the sun and spending time with friends. Appearance was always important to Beverly. She always dressed to the occasion and ensured her appearance was just right whenever someone visited. Any day she could be outside in the sun was a good day. She liked to be outside to tan, working on her tan, even in her final weeks of life. The life of the party, Beverly also liked to travel and listen to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and the Rat Pack’s classic tunes. Whether making a trip to Las Vegas or the Blue Chip Casino, Beverly was always up for an adventure. Many of her trips were girls' trips to Las Vegas, Mexico, and Florida where she and her friends would laugh, bond, and have a good time playing slot machines or sitting by the pool or on the beach. Beverly’s grandchildren were without a doubt her heart’s delight. She enjoyed every moment she shared with Ethan, Wyatt, Odin, and Oliver. A proud grandmother, Beverly cheered on her grandson’s goals and celebrated their accomplishments.

As we celebrate Beverly’s life, may we find comfort in our many good memories and in carrying the best of Beverly’s legacy forward. In each moment we greet a stranger as a friend, listen with our hearts, share our talents in service of others, enjoy a sunny day, or relish being at Lake Michigan, we keep Beverly’s memory alive and shining brightly.

Beverly Grimes, age 83, of Portage, died on Friday, September 6, 2024. She is survived by her daughter, Natalie Sosinski; 4 grandchildren: Ethan, Wyatt, Odin, and Oliver; 2 sisters: Debbie Cameron and Jeanette (James) Boling; 1 brother: John (Val) Grimes and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Evelyn Grimes; and 2 brothers; Joseph and William Grimes. Life Story services will be held at 11 am on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Monks Cemetery. Celebrate Beverly’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com.