Beth Hoskins

On Sunday, July 30, 2023, Beth Delores Hoskins, loving wife and mother of two children, passed away quietly in her sleep at the age of 95. She had a full life, not only as a wife and mother, but as a successful business woman and caring friend to all. 

Beth was born in Helmer, Indiana to Blanche and Paul Smith where she was raised on a farm with nine siblings. After graduating Ashley High School, Beth decided she didn’t want to be a “farmer’s wife” and moved to Van Nuys, California where her sister Isabelle lived. 

In Van Nuys she met Bill, who would become her husband. They were married at Wee Kirk of the Heather in Glendale on June 13, 1948 and eventually moved to Granada Hills, California where they designed and built their home with their own hands and the help of friends and Bill’s brothers.

Beth was a devoted mother and raised her children to be independent. She was loving, funny and a great cook. Being the consummate hostess, her home was always a gathering place for kids after school as well as holiday and family parties. She was a Welcome Wagon representative greeting new people moving into the neighborhood, as well as a Sunday School teacher at Granada Hills Methodist Church. Beth was a role model for her daughter’s friends by being a Girl Scout leader. She encouraged her children to explore music and art which she loved too. She instilled in her family a love of nature and animals, exploring the country and National Parks with camping trips, waterskiing, boating and hiking.

With her children in high school, she took a job at JC Penney. Beth started as a sales associated and with her great sense of style and people skills quickly moved to become a Merchandise Manager, breaking the glass ceiling becoming the first woman in that position at JCP.

Retirement brought them to to Lake Havasu, Arizona and Beth discovered a  passion for quilting. Soon she became the President of The Lake Havasu Stitchers where they made quilts and raised money for children’s charities. Her greatest achievement was the Annual Quilting Show that was widely known in the quilting world. She enjoyed spending time with friends who golfed, quilted, played card games and swapped Christmas cookie recipes. Retirement gave her time to travel the world with her sister Isabelle and they had many adventures.

Battling Multiple Sclerosis, Beth and Bill moved to assisted living in Palm Desert California where they could be close to their children. She still played cards and bingo, making jewelry and other crafts. She won so much at cards that her friends called her “Las Vegas”.

She is survived by her husband of 75 years, Bill, two children, Janice and Brandon, two grandchildren, Tim and Jon Munson and two great grandchildren Wednesday and Ashton Munson. Her extended family includes many nieces and nephews who she was always close with - never missing a birthday. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, in Memory of Beth Hoskins.

https://mssociety.donordrive.com/campaign/In-Memory-of-Beth-Hoskins