Beverly Pontoni Sholes passed away peacefully on October 22, 2023, at the Ida Emmerson Hospice House in Eureka as a result of very aggressive Lewy body dementia. Bev was born to Martin and Helen Pontoni on March 13, 1944. She was raised on the Pontoni Dairy on the Arcata Bottoms with her sister, Linda, and brother, Ron. (Ironically, none of them liked or drank milk.)

After graduating from Arcata High School, Bev married her sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Sholes, in 1962. They had two daughters, Deborah Lynn and Julie Ann. In their early years of marriage, they enjoyed camping, horseback riding in the Marble Mountains, and houseboating with Bob’s sister Dodie’s family.

Bev had so many accomplishments. She began her banking career at United California Bank (UCB) in Eureka in 1971. After getting her family off to a good start, she went on to work at Humboldt Federal, Home Federal, and Umpqua Banks in McKinleyville. Bev was always extremely organized and juggled numerous jobs at once. While working full time as a banker, she also did all the bookkeeping for Bob’s business, Sholes Overhead Door Company, along with continuing to raise a young family. In the 1990s, Bev and Bob built a beautiful vacation home in Trinity Center where family and friends were always invited to enjoy boating, hiking, fishing, and relaxation.

Traveling brought great joy to Bev. She and Bob traveled often with family and friends. Bev especially enjoyed trips to Reno with her parents and siblings where her dad enjoyed the air shows and her mom loved the slot machines. Bev also took some exciting trips with her cousin Jennifer Cullen and special friends, Carol and Dennis Boshears and Sarie and Al Toste. She thoroughly enjoyed a fabulous trip to the Galápagos Islands and Machu Picchu with daughter, Debbie, son-in-law, Darren, and Darren’s mother, Rayelle.

Bev has always been active with St. Mary’s Parish in Arcata. For years she sold script and delivered meals to homeless shelters. Bev loved spending time with her family, often hosting holidays and birthdays at their home. She adored her three grandchildren, Weston, Morgan, and Juston. She spent countless hours supporting them with their school and sports activities. She was known as the “Umpqua Bank Learn to Earn Lady” by her grandchildren’s friends.

Bev had a huge heart and will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. She will always be in our hearts, and we will remember, “Death Separates Us Only For Awhile.” She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Helen Pontoni; daughter, Julie Sholes; nephews, Greg and Mike Scott; brothers-in-law, Joe Scott, Russell Rounds, and Larry Lyons; Aunt Emily Machado; Uncle Gale Andersen; Cousin Shirley Schmitz, and numerous other family members.

She leaves behind her loving husband of 61 years, Bob; devoted daughter, Debbie and husband Darren Frazier; cherished sister, Linda and husband Jim Roberts; admired brother, Ron and wife Michelle Pontoni; adored grandchildren, Weston Frazier (Kaileigh), Juston Frazier (Savannah Johnson), and Morgan Mayr (Casey & Skarlet); bonus grandson, Andrew; sisters-in-law, Dodie Scott and Nancy Rounds; nieces Kristy Agliolo (Eric, Vincent, Charis, Bo & Luke), Karen Pontoni McNally (Sean & Taylor), Wendy Cabalzar (Jeff), and Tonya Cornelius (Jamie); nephews, Kevin Roberts (Menetta & KJ) and Scott Pontoni (fiancé Julia Steinberger). She also leaves her precious Aunt Irene Andersen, special cousins, Jennifer Cullen, Margie Thomas, Rosemary Silva (Joe), Richard Machado (Kathy), Sandy Ardan (Joe), Dennis Pontoni (Shirley), Doug Oliveira (Karen), Sue Pontoni, and many other great nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of Humboldt where Bev received the best care possible at the Ida Emmerson House in Eureka. (A special thanks to the three amazing nurses Simone, Karen, and Karen who went above and beyond to make Bev’s stay as comfortable as possible.) The family also thanks Linda Agliolo for her love and prayers, as well as Carol Boshears for being such a true friend to Bev for nearly 60 years.

Funeral arrangements will be made under the care of Paul’s Chapel in Arcata. Services will include a Mass and will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Arcata, with a Rosary on Thursday, November 2, at 6 p.m. (visitation from 4 to 6 p.m.) at Paul’s Chapel. Any donations can be made to Hospice of Humboldt or the Alzheimer’s Association.

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