Beverly "Bev" Ann (Hackman) Massey

     Beverly Ann Massey passed away Friday, September 20th, 2024.  She was born July 16, 1939, in Berger, MO, the oldest child of Ervin Hackman and Adeline (Daller) Hackman.  Her family then moved to New Haven, MO where she attended Assumption Elementary School, and graduated from New Haven High School.  On December 26th, 1959, she married Merv Massey.  Together, they shared 64 years of marriage and raised three children.  They lived in many places including Granite City, Illinois, St. Louis, MO, Taipei, Taiwan, Webster Groves, MO, Forest Haven, MO, Ephraim, WI, and finally in the home her family built in Fish Creek, WI.

     Words are hard to choose for such an amazing lady.  Words such as love, beauty, kindness, selflessness start to describe her, but they don’t portray the warmth of the love, or her truly empathetic kindness and selflessness. Her beauty shone from within and lit up any space she was in.  The feeling of being loved was in her words, hugs, laugh, walks in her gardens, and in her understanding, genuine listening ear.

     “Mother Nature” was a phrase used often to describe her.  She was a mother to her three children, but also their friends, or anyone that needed a friend.  She was a neighborhood mom.  She “mothered” all creatures (except snakes).  She took in any animal brought home by her children over the years and adopted any stray animal that stepped foot on her property!  She even attempted to save an entire family of racoons, and a freezing bird amid a frozen Wisconsin winter.  She mothered them all!

     Nature and her family were the loves in her life.  Nature was her fuel.  She wanted to be outdoors with her hands in the soil making every space she touched beautiful and welcoming.  The fuel she got from the outdoors was used to provide endless love for her family.   She always had supplies of love to give and gave it freely.  She had enough to give to her family, her friends, her neighbors, and anyone needing it.

     She always knew she wanted to be a mom from as early as she could remember.  She was smart even though she didn’t have a lengthy education experience or multiple diplomas.  She earned her PhD in mothering!  She was the ultimate caregiver.  Her words, her hugs, her smile seemed to heal all troubles and provide the strength needed to weather any storm.

     Lately, her grandchildren were her greatest joys.  She considered them gifts to be treasured.  She had such a strong bond with each of them and loved them for their unique personalities.  They brought the love she put out in the world right back to her to fill her heart.  She shared her whole heart, her creativity, and her love of nature and reading with them.  Each of them has a special place in their hearts just for her. Bev had a strong faith in God and prayed nightly for the safety and well-being of her children and grandchildren.  

     Bev didn’t have an easy life; she worked hard and didn’t complain or dwell in negativity or sadness.  She simply got up and tackled anything that needed her attention.  Later in life, she took time to tap into her creative side.  She quilted, embroidered, painted, crocheted, and sewed.  Winters were filled with creativity and reading.  She LOVED to read!

     Bev was the heart and soul of her family.  She was the feeling of a warm, happy home.  No matter where she was living, it was her that felt like home.  She will be missed deeply, but not forgotten.  She lives on in the hearts of her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her sweet, beloved Pomeranian “Pepper”, and anyone who crossed her path or gardens.

     She was never comfortable in the spotlight.  She didn’t want a funeral or memorial.  To show your sympathy, she would want you to go outside and look for the simple beauty of a flower or animal, no matter how spectacular or singular.  Life is precious, remember her with a smile.

     Bev is survived by her loving husband Merv, who loved her beyond words, her sons Scott and Brad (Marnie), daughter Melanie (Sean), and her four grandchildren (Ava, Lydia, Anton, and Gavin).  She also leaves behind her two sisters Shelba Hodges and JoAnn Dean, and her two nephews Randy Dean (Tanya) and Eric Hodges.

     In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider a donation to the Sturgeon Bay Humane Society, St. Judes Children’s Hospital,…….or simply plant a flower in her honor.

     Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay is assisting the Massey family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Bev may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

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