Beverly Jean (Kuhl) Prowse

June 25, 1926 - Jan. 3, 2018

Beverly Jean Prowse passed away in her beloved Kensington home on Wednesday, January 3, 2018.

Beverly was born in Oakland, California on June 25, 1926 to James and Irene Kuhl. She was the first of four children and was a proud, fourth-generation Californian. She attended Golden Gate Elementary School and Oakland Technical High School. Beverly met Robert Prowse shortly after high school, and they were married in 1945. Together, Beverly and Bob started a printing and bindery business in Berkeley and purchased their home in Kensington. Their daughter Elise was born in 1956. In those early years, Beverly and Bob worked tirelessly to build their business. Eventually, they purchased property at Lake Tahoe, which became a home away from home for family and friends. When Bob retired in 1992, they treasured time together at both their Lake Tahoe and Kensington homes. Beverly and Bob traveled the world during their life together, visiting Tahiti, Europe, South America, the Mediterranean, Botswana, and many states across our country.

Beverly was a devoted wife, mother, and loyal friend. She valued family and friends above all else, and cooking and hosting parties in her homes in Kensington and Tahoe gave her great joy. Beverly gave generously of her time and talents. In her younger years, she volunteered at the hospital, taught Sunday school, was PTA president at Kensington Hilltop School, and was actively involved in many community service causes. Bev started the Twenty Women’s Investment Group (TWIG) in the 70’s so that she and her friends could learn to invest in the stock market. Bev also became an avid golfer and loved both the social and physical aspects of the game. A voracious reader and accomplished at knitting and crochet, Bev was a lifelong learner and was always looking for new activities and ideas.

Family and friends will forever remember Beverly as a classy lady who lit up the room with her loving and gracious spirit. She never left the house without dressing to the nines and accessorizing with jewelry, handbags, and shoes. As many of her friends have said, Beverly was a gem; she was a beautiful woman, inside and out.

Beverly was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Robert. She is survived by daughter Elise Prowse, sister Phyllis McKee, and brothers Jim and Ron Kuhl.

Funeral services will be held at Sunset View Mortuary in El Cerrito on January 10, 2018 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the following or to the organization of your choice.

Alaska Raptor Center, 1000 Raptor Way, Sitka, AK 99835

Special Olympics at specialolympics.org

Project Open Hand at openhand.org