Beverly Jane (Cooper) Ellingsen

Beverly Jane Ellingsen (Cooper), of Eglon, WA, passed away with loved ones by her side on October 15, 2021 in Silverdale, WA at 83 years of age.

Bev was born to James and Phyllis Cooper on Bainbridge Island, WA.  She graduated from Bainbridge High School in the class of 1956.  Bev was known to be passionate about sports. For many years she bowled in the Bainbridge Island Women's league at the Bainbridge Bowl, keeping a highly competitive average.  Each season she eagerly anticipated participating in the Kitsap County and Washington State bowling tournaments.  She also played slow pitch softball competitively for the Berkeley Raiders for many years, traveling to tournaments all around Washington State. 

As soon as they were old enough to play, Bev avidly supported her four sons’ sporting adventures spanning from the 1960s through the 90s, along with their friends, looking after them as if they were her own.  Many of those friends still call her “Mom” to this day.  It was well known in the tight-knit island community that the Ellingsen home had an open door policy where visitors were welcome to drop-in for a bite to eat, a round of pool, or just a refreshing cold one.  After her boys grew up, Bev was still a regular in the bleachers cheering on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their activities until recent days.

Her enthusiasm for both sports & cooking led to her ownership of the sports bar and restaurant on Bainbridge Island known as The Cheri Tree.  It was a great local hang out for sports enthusiasts, where they proudly displayed memorabilia and pictures from local and professional sports teams.  Through this venture, Bev was able to sponsor both men’s and women’s competitive softball teams that played all over Washington and the surrounding states, qualifying at national level tournaments.

Bev found joy in cheering on the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks, as well as playing Bingo.  In the last several years, she shared a weekly night out for some Bingo fun along side her sons, Bob and Mike, and daughter-in-law Monica. There is no doubt that Bev was thrilled whenever she got to spend quality time with her family, especially around a good meal. 

Over the last 10 years, she had the pleasure of living in Eglon, WA, in the warm home of her granddaughter Ashley, accompanied by Brady, Abigail and Brody.  Being intimately intertwined with their daily lives was so very special to her.

All who had the pleasure of knowing Bev will miss her, but she will live on forever in the love shown by those she raised, along with the countless others that she taught in leading by example to place others before yourself, be generous, and whatever you love… “give it your all” with pride and integrity.
 

Preceded in death by her father James Cooper, her mother Phyllis Cooper (Day), former husband Victor Ellingsen, brother-in-law Harold Hart, and grandson-in-law Aaron Waag.
 

She is survived by her four sons:  Ron Ellingsen (April), Bob Ellingsen (Kim), Mike Ellingsen (Monica) and Vic Ellingsen (Tara).  Grandchildren: Ashley Waag, Brittany Daane, Victor James “VJ” Ellingsen, Leslie Ellingsen, Tanner Ellingsen, Cort Ellingsen, Christopher “Taylor” Ellingsen, Brooks Ellingsen, Samuel “Mason” Ellingsen; 5 great-grandchildren:  Abigail Waag, Brody Krukar, Cashton Daane, Huxley Ellingsen, and Aiden Ellingsen; and her brother Bob Cooper (Linda) of Kennewick and sister Carol Hart (Harold) of Bainbridge Island.  

A memorial celebration will be planned for Spring 2022.

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