Bea Colvin, 85, longtime resident of Leavenworth, died Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at Central Washington Hospital. On a cold, snowy, January 8, 1924, Beatrice Justina Werner was born to Eva (Pflugrath) and John Werner. A half hour later, her identical twin sister, Bernice, was born. They were born in a little house on Deadman Hill, Dryden. Eva spent her inheritance on a house in Peshastin, where John worked at the school. People at the little store would ask Bea and Bernice to sing a song, at age four, in harmony, for a piece of candy or a penny. They usually chose a penny for the offering at church on Sunday. Bea played clarinet in a dance band in junior high and high school with Bernice, Helen Hauff (Link), Richard and Wayne Moltke, Alvin McGregor and Tommy Darlington. Bea, Bernice and Helen Hauff formed a singing trio. Bea said, “It’s a good thing we had a three hole outhouse, or we’d never have learned to sing three part harmony!” Bea was Student Body President of Peshastin High School, where she graduated with honors. She was employed at the high school superintendent’s office and later in the office at the Peshastin mill, while still in high school. Beatrice Werner and Kenneth L. Colvin married on February 13, 1943, in Peshastin. They had four children, Carol Joanne, Rebecca Diane, Katherine Mary and Charles Archie. Kenneth worked for the railroad and Bea was at home for their kids. When necessary, Bea worked office jobs at various businesses, including the Skookum Dairy and Peshastin Fruit Grower’s Association. Bea was active in PTA, always a room mother, made clothes and costumes for her kids, and taught them to care for pets and work in the orchards. She was a published author (a joke in Readers Digest), and wrote the Amberleaf show “Bring’er Back Columbus.” Bea helped write several other Amberleaf productions. She helped start Art in the Park and sang in the Pink Garter Theater and Amberleaf. Bea, Neva Zachow and Martha Jensen spent several years gathering pictures of the Leavenworth, Peshastin and Dryden alumni and created a display, which is present at Cascade High School.

She is survived by her sister, Bernice Smith (Johnny Bruce) of Peshastin; daughters, Carol Colvin of Peshastin and Katy Kriewald (Gary) of Leavenworth; and son, Archie Colvin of Idyllwild, CA; her grandchildren, Matt Swartout of Peshastin, Kurtis (Jennifer) Kriewald of Kirkland, James (Lisa) Kriewald of Everett and Joe Colvin of Idyllwild, CA; and great-grandchildren, Tyler Floyd, Nikolas and Carrera Kriewald and Amanda Woodard. Bea was preceded in death by her husband, Kenny Colvin; a daughter, Becky Colvin; a grandson, Ben Swartout; six sisters; and seven brothers.

There will be No Service, as Bea requested. A Private Family Gathering was held Friday, October 2, 2009. Donations may be sent to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Ward’s Funeral Chapel of Leavenworth.