Beverly C. Rutherford

 Beloved, beautiful, and loving wife, daughter, mother, and grandmother found peace and was carried home on August 28, 2017.  Beverly faced her difficult diagnosis with the same feisty spirit and straightforward truthfulness with which she lived her life. Throughout her painful struggle to extend the life she loved, Beverly never lost her faith, her love for life, and her compassion for others.  She lives.

 Beverly was born on December 1, 1953 in El Paso, TX, to George J. and Maxine L. Rutherford.

 Beverly is survived by her husband, Eric Carter; mother, Maxine Rutherford; daughter, Brandi Schmidt; grandson, Miguel Schmidt; and granddaughter, Victoria Hatch.  She was preceded in death by her loving father, George Rutherford.

 After graduating from High School, Beverly enlisted in the United States Air Force and moved away from her hometown of Marion, Ohio.  She proudly served her country stateside for six years during and after the Vietnam War before being honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.

 After completing her military service, Beverly furthered her education by earning two degrees from Salt Lake Community College, and pursuing a third degree in Criminology from Weber State University.  Concurrent with her continuing education, Beverly enjoyed a long, challenging, and satisfying career as an accountant with Questar Gas (previously Mountain Fuel Supply), during which she was blessed with many dear and enduring friendships.

 Beverly was an insatiable reader and loved to learn.  A nature lover and avid hiker, she loved to explore.  She was a devout food enthusiast, as well as a lover of music and art.  Beverly embraced diversity and multiculturalism, and found great joy making new friends from various countries, faiths, and backgrounds.

 With boundless energy and her volunteering spirit, Beverly made a real difference in the community and positively impacted many lives by donating money and countless hours of her time for many years to several charitable organizations, including Ronald McDonald House, Fisher House, Utah Food Bank, Meals On Wheels, YWCA, March Of Dimes, Special Olympics – Utah, and Best Friends Animal Society, among others.

 Beverly married her best friend and soul mate Eric Carter in 2001.  She and Eric shared and cherished their love, respect, and lives with each other for many wonderful years.

 Beverly traveled extensively and often between her homes in Salt Lake City, UT and Berkeley, CA to be with her husband, and she enjoyed trips to her hometown of Marion, OH each year to visit with her mother and lifelong friends.

 A non-smoker her entire life, Beverly enjoyed a very healthy and active lifestyle before she was suddenly diagnosed with advanced metastatic lung cancer.  Although she experienced no symptoms until the lung cancer was at an incurable stage, Beverly remained very passionate about raising awareness by educating everyone she met about the following:

   •  Lung cancer is NOT just a smoker's disease,

   •  Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the United States and worldwide,

   •  Lung cancer is responsible for more deaths each year than those from breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer combined, and

   •  Lung cancer research is seriously underfunded and is in great need of our contributions.

 Although her life was unexpectedly cut short, Beverly lived a vibrant and meaningful life.  She is greatly loved, respected, and missed by her husband, daughter, mother, family, and many close friends, who surrounded her, stood by her side, and supported her throughout her difficult and courageous battle with cancer.  Beverly's compassion, grace, honesty, integrity, strength, and character have been an inspiration to us all.

 A celebration of Beverly's life will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2017, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, UT. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the parlor.

 Should friends desire to do something in honor of her memory, Beverly respectfully asked they consider the following:

   •  Make a donation to the Lung Cancer Alliance (lungcanceralliance.org).

   •  Volunteer at a local school, church, library, nonprofit, animal shelter, etc.

   •  Send a sincere, handwritten letter, card, or note to someone in your life letting them know how much you care about them and how much they mean to you.

   •  Read a good book.

 Throughout her battle with cancer, Beverly received excellent care and support from many dedicated and amazing doctors, nurses, staff, volunteers, friends, family, and other caregivers.  Beverly and Eric would like to express their utmost gratitude and appreciation to them all.  They made a great difference.