BEVERLY JEAN ZARLINGO, 79

“Together Again”
LOWELLVILLE – Beloved mother, honored wife and cherished friend, Beverly Jean Zarlingo, 79, passed to her eternal home in the early morning of May 20, 2012, after a long illness. At the time of her passing, her family was at her bedside at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center.
Born Beverly Jean Slaven on March 30, 1933, to Leon and Vera Slaven, she was 79 years of age at the time of her passing.
“Bev” was a lifelong resident of Lowellville, where she raised three children with her husband, Orest J. Zarlingo, who preceded her in death on Dec. 2, 2007. Beverly and Orest met at the Lowellville Theater, where she worked selling tickets while she was still in school.
She graduated from Lowellville High School in 1951. Friends remember Bev as the happy girl who played trombone in the LHS Band.
On June 14, 1952, Beverly and Orest were married in the Lowellville Methodist Church, where she was a member her entire life.
She loved her church, volunteering in fund raising activities, teaching Sunday school and serving later as secretary-treasurer of the congregation.
After a stroke in Jan. of 2004, Beverly had difficulty attending services at the church, but looked forward each week to communion brought to her and Orest by the dedicated ministers of the congregation.
Beverly and Orest bought the house next to her mother and father’s home in 1956. It was in that home that they lived with their children, Tommy, Danny and Shari; grandchildren, Aaron and Danny; and for a time with Orest’s sister, Delphine.
Beverly always wanted to be a nurse, but because of a serious heart problem, she was not able to fulfill that goal. She did have the opportunity to help in the care of her brother, Norman “Buzz” Slaven and her father, Leon when they were diagnosed with terminal cancer. She saved the life of a neighbor’s young child who was choking on a pin she accidentally ingested. She often talked about her desire to continue her education. It was because of her love of nursing that her eldest son, Thomas “Tommy” went on to a career in medicine.
Because of her health, Bev was told that she should not have any more children after the birth of her second son, Dan in 1956.
In 1967, she and Orest adopted their beloved daughter, Shari, completing their dream of having a little girl. As her two boys left home to attend college, Shari became the center of her life.
Bev and Orest traveled the country to see their son, Danny, play with the Indiana University football team.
Another generation had a chance to share her home when her grandsons, Danny and Aaron came to stay with her and Orest.
Beverly loved animals, always having multiple pets in and outside of her home. The menagerie included dogs, cats, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, turtles, ducks, chicks and Shari’s horse, Fire. Strays were welcomed in Beverly’s home, as a part of the family.
Bev loved to decorate her home for the holidays. She made many of her own decorations at church functions, at home, and with friends. She had ceramic kilns in her basement large enough for any project. Her ceramic work was masterful and remains a part of the family’s holiday tradition today.
Beverly also loved to be with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren going to hockey, baseball and football games, dance recitals and school plays. If there was a grandchild in an activity, she would find a way to be there supporting them in any way that she could.
Beverly will especially be remembered by her children, family and friends for her courage and determination after her stroke in 2004. She never gave up on her desire to walk again, no matter how hard she had to work.
When God came to take her, she left this life as she had lived it, with dignity and grace.
Beverly is survived by her sister, Phyllis Lupo; sons Thomas and Daniel (Tracy) Zarlingo; daughter Shari (Mark) Leonard; nine grandchildren, Danny, Aaron, Brandon, Alexis, Breane, Jessica, Natalie, Jessica S. and Courtney; and three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Alex and Micah.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Orest; her parents, Leon and Vera Slaven; brothers George, Leon “Skip,” Eugene, and Norman “Buzz” Slaven.
A memorial to honor Beverly’s life will be held at the Lowellville United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 26, 2012, at 11 a.m.
The church will be open from 10 a.m. for friends and family who wish to call before the service.
Following the service, a luncheon will be served at the church.
Beverly asked that all contributions be made to the Lowellville United Methodist Church, 190 West Wood St., Lowellville, OH 44436.

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