Beulah Gourley Thaten

     Beulah Gourley Thaten, (BEA to everyone) passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2002 in Carlisle, Penn. white visiting her daughter and son in law Jessie Thaten Allen and Col. (Ret.) Bill Allen. No services are planned. Arrangements are under the direction of Cloverdale Funeral Home.

     Bea was born in Kendalia, Texas on December 31, 1909 and had just celebrated her 92nd birthday. She was a direct descendant of Captain Thomas Gourley, 9th Pennsylvania Dragoons of the Continental Army. Texas was her home for 18 years until she moved to Colorado when she graduated from high School. In 1934, she moved to Boise. During World War II, the was a switchboard operator at Gowen Field. There she met Staff Sgt. Jesse G. Thaten and they were married in 1944. Later Bea worked for many years at the State Capital and State Highway Department as a switchboard operator. In 1968, she moved to Rossmoor, a retirement community in Walnut Creek, Calif. where she lived until her death. She enjoyed years of ballroom dancing, international travel, yoga, dominoes, card games, swimming and especially the friends she made in the Rossmoor community.

     Bea is survived by 3 daughters; Elizabeth Bancroft of Spokane, Wash., Carrol Treece and husband, Ken of Livermore, Calif. and Jessie Allen and husband, Bill of Carlisle, Penn. Her brother, Scott Gourley, of New Mexico, 4 granddaughters, 7 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews also survived her. Cecily Jane Allen of Pennsylvania, her 13- year-old granddaughter who shared her birthday, was the light of Grandma's life and gave her special inspiration and comfort.

     Bea was a life long supporter of women's rights and especially Planned Parenthood. Donations may be made to Planned Parenthood; Shasta-Diablo, 2185 Pacheco St., Concord, Calif. 94520-9751 or to St. Luke's Hospice, 190 E. Bannock, Boise, Idaho 83712 in Bea's name or give the give of life, donate blood at your local blood bank.

The Idaho Statesman, Thursday, January 31, 2002, Local Page 7