Beverly Nadine Jaques was born in San Francisco, as were her parents, brother, husband, and their children! Her first four years were in Park Merced, a part of San Francisco. Her father was transferred to New Jersey, where she started school. The best part of New Jersey as a child was building snowmen in the front or back yards, ice skating on the local frozen pond, and chasing fireflies in the summer. They didn’t get a TV until Beverly was about seven, so each day at Howdy Doody time, she and Jeff would walk across the street to “play” with the neighbors who had a TV set. They would watch the program and come home for dinner.
When her dad was transferred back to California, she spent fourth grade in Redwood City, fifth grade through 9th grade in San Carlos, and the last three years of high school in Fullerton, after yet another transfer. The best part of that was working at Knott’s Berry Farm one summer ($1.30 per hour, because she had restaurant experience – minimum wage was $1.25). Going to the beach and just soaking the rays, body surfing and watching the boys were the best ways to spend any warm free time. The tanning lotion of choice was Bain de Soleil, without SPF.
While the Jaques were in California, they traveled to Midpines and on to Yosemite, Badger Pass, to ski. Aunt Jyme was the patient teacher, allowing Beverly to sit on her knees, and with her skis between her aunt’s skis, they used the rope tow to get to the top of the bunny hill. Getting back down the hill was easier than getting up.
Beverly went to U.C. Santa Barbara and joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. It has been an important part of her social life, even after college. Her remaining college friends are those who were her sisters in the house.
After graduation, (1967) Beverly went to work at Macy’s in San Francisco, where she met Bob, her husband. The Macy’s motto at that time was “You always do better at Macy’s” and that was true for Bob and Beverly! They were married in 1971. She worked in management until her first child, Aaron, was born. They had moved from an apartment in San Francisco’s Marina to a house in San Pablo. With a second child coming, they moved to Hayward, to a larger house and a better neighborhood.
After Kevin was born, a house in Castro Valley “jumped” at them – large backyard, family room off the kitchen, and the kitchen window looking out at the back yard and the beautiful hills beyond – everything they wanted. So, they moved and still live there.
When the boys were in school, Beverly decided to find a job that had the same hours and holidays as her boys so she could be home with them when they were home. At first that meant taking a teaching assistant position until she took over for a new substitute. She found he earned more than she did while she did all the work. So, she became a substitute teacher. When she subbed for a friend for two weeks, she found that was more rewarding than learning 30 names each day, so she returned to school for her teaching credential. She has been teaching since 1990, in grades second through fifth.
The garden is the therapy for the stresses of teaching. Dahlias, just like Grandma’s, are the favorites, with about 50 plants each year – not many, compared to other dahlia lovers, but more than the two she started with! One section of the garden is for vegetables, just like Grandma, but Beverly did not get into the canning habit – she gives the extra to friendly neighbors.
Family traditions included camping each year, with the tent or Bob’s parent’s RV (tent is more fun – the men do the cooking there). Each year before Christmas, Beverly made a gingerbread house, and each year, the family decorated it. After Christmas dinner, it was taken apart or chopped to pieces and eaten, dust and all. Church isn’t really a tradition, but it is a way of life.
Bob and Beverly enjoy traveling far and near – Alaska, Australia, or Yosemite. Each has its merits. The 4am hike to the top of Yosemite Falls was a highlight that can’t be beat.
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