Obituary of Beth Elaine Irvine

Beth Elaine Hilliard Irvine (95) left this earth May 18, 2023, while in comfort care at NCMC. Beth was born June 15, 1927, in Iliff, Colorado to Ida Lyn Underwood and Albert Daniel Hilliard. She grew up on a dry land farm with no running water or indoor plumbing. She had an older brother, Lavern, and an older sister, Lois (Proctor) both deceased. The family left the farm after the Great Depression and moved to Crook, Colorado where Ida ran a boarding house. When Beth was in seventh grade, the family moved to Greeley after her sister received a scholarship to UNC (then the Colorado State College of Education). Beth was musically gifted, singing in the choir, playing the clarinet in the band and tap dancing. While a senior in high school, she also worked half days at Penny's and the telephone office. She met Mel Whipple Irvine the day after she turned 17. They were married by the justice of the peace in 1944 and she followed Mel to Tonopah, Nevada where he was in the Army Air Corp. They were married 44 years when he passed away in 2004. They had three children: Dennis Melvin Irvine (Gwen) of Willis, Texas, Richard Allen Irvine of Sunny Mead, California, and Colette Beth Irvine Pitcher (Gary) of Eaton, Colorado. They have two grandchildren: Michael Dennis Irvine (Linda) of Willis, Texas and Mark Shaw Irvine of Colorado Springs, Colorado and two great grandchildren: Ben Irvine of Texas and Abby Irvine Creamer (Shane) of Texas. Beth and Mel built, owned, and managed apartments and real estate. Beth earned a real estate license in the 60's. Beth was a member of First Congregational Church, P.E.O., and Friends of UNC Library. A memorial will be planned at the First Congregational Church with a sculpture dedication in the new landscaping this summer.