On Wednesday, February 13, 2019, Beverly Cellini, age 63, passed away suddenly. The cause of death was a pulmonary embolism. Bev’s Guardian Spirits took her quickly, which was a blessing as it was discovered by the Coroner that Bev also had liver cancer.
Bev is survived by her father, Oliver “Ollie” Cellini; sister, Linda Cellini; nephew, Darren Tucker; niece, Kimberley Hamel; and four great nieces: Shelby, Riley, Kendyll, Arley). Bev was preceded in death by her mother, Bernice (Bea) Cellini; and sister, Donna Cellini.
Bev was passionate about animals, nature, photography, and painting with watercolors. She was a long-time employee at PetSmart, working in the pet care department. Beverly was also a decades long member of the Pikes Peak Camera Club and FOGG (Friends of Garden of the Gods). She had a bachelors degree in Geology and volunteered with the The National Parks Service at Florissant Fossil Beds, helping teach kids and teachers about the geology of the region. Beverly also was a volunteer for many years for Colorado Parks and Wildlife helping with their TEN program that taught educators about natural sciences.
Bev had been an avid horsewoman, showing, trail riding and riding with the Arapahoe Hunt.
A memorial service will be held at a future time.
Barbara Fraser
24 Mar 2019Beverly and I went photographing and camping together many times. She taught me about the geology of our land. She was a special person and I am glad to have had her in my life.
Condolences to Ollie and family.
Sue Raabe
25 Mar 2019Bev was my Teacher’s Assistant in Geology at UCCS while she was working on her degree. She was my “Gal Friday” when it came to rescuing me from peripheral duties that come with teaching. She was my “Rock” in all ways. She was also my friend. I greatly appreciated her encouragement and kindness when things got a bit rough for me especially when conducting my many field trips. She was also one of my best, most attentive students. She was keenly intelligent. She loved geology and became a very reliable source of information in her interpretive teachings of the geologic attractions in the parks where she worked. I will miss her greatly. My sincere condolences to her family.
Jeanne McElderry
25 Mar 2019Beverly was one of the founding experts of the nature program at Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, and I was one of the first volunteers to learn about our unique geology from this dear mentor. We shared interests in the rocks, the trails and especially the bats who summer at our beautiful Park! She will ever live in my heart as a dear friend, a gifted educator, and a genuine advocate for our exquisite out of doors.
sherry toepfer
25 Mar 2019Bev and my husband volunteered together at the Visitors Center of the Garden of the Gods and he enjoyed her knowledge and her company. Some years later we were touring friends from N.H. ,walked down the 104 steps to the bottom of the Grand Canyon of the Gunnison for a boat tour and lo and behold, we were met and greeted by Bev! May she rest in peace.
Art Crawford
28 Mar 2019Beverly and I had worked together at Starsmore Discovery Center and Garden of the Gods Visitor Center. Her knowledge of nature was incredible. Not only was she a photographer, but she had also judged photography competitions. It was shocking to learn of her passing. She will indeed be missed.
Melissa Walker
12 Apr 2019I was very saddened and surprised to learn of Beverly’s passing. She was always so full of life!
I will miss sharing stories of birdwatching and cool geology sites with her. Beverly and I worked together during the “watershed” time of the Garden of the Gods 1994 Master Plan and the building of the 1995 new Visitor Center. She was tireless in her efforts to do whatever was necessary to continue programs everyday, while taking photographs and even collecting rock samples for the brand new exhibits. I miss Beverly and will always think of her very fondly and as part of a wonderful team of dedicated employees who became friends. Rest in Peace, Our Friend. Beverly.
Lenore Fleck
12 Apr 2019I worked with Beverly for several years at Garden of the Gods Park. She was a solid source of knowledge and a dedicated preservationist with an indomitable spirit. I’m sorry to hear she passed away so young.
John Koshak
15 Apr 2019Bev and I shared a mutual interest in sharing the natural world w/others. We first worked together at the old Bear Creek Nature Center where she was a wonderful docent. After that, we shared our interest through the Teaching Environmental Science Naturally (TEN) program for local teachers through the Division of Wildlife and she was a friendly face at meetings, trainings, festivals and events over the years.
These events will be just a bit less fun w/o her big smile and husky laugh whenever I told a silly story or joke. We’ll all miss the lovely photos she shared so generously.
My thoughts go out to all her family and friends.