Gayle Ann Beshir, 64

Gayle Ann Beshir, 64, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 1, in Hayden, Idaho, after an extremely brief and yet courageous battle with cancer. Her last days were spent in the warm and amazing confines of The Hospice House.

Gayle was born on Sept. 11, 1954, in Evergreen Park and spent her entire childhood there. She graduated from Evergreen Park High School and married her former husband, Wayne Church. Together they moved out west, exploring northern California and Oregon before making her forever home in the Hope and Clark Fork area of northern Idaho. She, in fact, began the eventual westward migration of her family.

Gayle simply loved being out in nature. She spent cherished hours kayaking and arrowhead hunting on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille. She’d hike the neighboring mountains and loved hunting for antlers. She was an animal lover, who enjoyed doing leather work and her love of gardening and landscaping kept her employed and out of doors. She was a hard worker and a “free spirit” living life on her terms. She touched the lives and hearts of all who knew her and she will live in our hearts forever.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Omer and Barbara Beshir; as well as her sister, Linda Hocket. She is survived by her daughter, Bree Church; her grandsons, Brian Barcklay and Mason Broggi; along with her sister, Janet Mattison (Greg); her nephew, Matthew Mattison (Ashley); her niece, Alyssa Kreider (Korey); and great-nephews Collin and Graham Kreider. She is also survived by her companion and best friend, Willow, her 9-year-old yellow lab.

In respect for Gayle’s wishes, no funeral services will be held, but a celebration of life will take place this summer.