In Memory: Bev Beem and Michaelynn Paul

A full list of obituaries can be found in Westwind. Family members may submit obituary information for their loved ones at wallawalla.edu/obituary.

Beverly Grace Beem

Former professor and chair of the English department Beverly Grace Beem passed away peacefully in her home on December 9, 2024, at the age of 80.

Beverly was born in 1944 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Thelma and Kenneth Beem. She graduated from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1968 and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska in 1974 where the focus of her dissertation was the devotion poetry of the Renaissance poet George Herbert. In 1976, she joined the faculty of the English department at Walla Walla University, where her teaching interests included classical, medieval, and Renaissance literature, Old Testament narrative, and the historical literature of women’s spirituality. During her time as a professor, Beem earned two fellowships, helped redesign the department's writing program, conducted numerous writing workshops for elementary and secondary teachers, and was recognized with awards for excellent scholarship.

Beem served as chair of the English Department for 16 years, fostering an atmosphere of academic rigor and respect among her departmental colleagues and in her broader community. She retired in 2015 with the status of Emeritus Professor of English, but continued active involvement in the community with her scholarship, service, and book recommendations. For nearly fifty years she generously opened her home as a place for good food, serious dialogue, and deep friendship.

In addition to her work as a scholar and teacher, Beem was an active member of the church community, breaking gender barriers to serve as head elder and later interrupting her retirement to serve as the interim member care pastor. Her later years were devoted to important research on the writings of women in the early Seventh-day Adventist church.

Beem is survived by her stepsisters, cousins, and her beloved poodle named Story. She also leaves behind a large community of friends, colleagues, and students which she treasured as her family. A celebration of life was held on February 15, 2025, in the University Church.

Michaelynn (Bazzy) Paul ’87

Former dean of the School of Nursing, Michaelynn (Bazzy) Paul passed away on Monday, November 18, 2024.

Paul was born in 1965 in Riverside, California. Her family moved frequently during her childhood before settling in the Walla Walla Valley in the middle of her freshman year of college, where she began attending Walla Walla University and quickly made friends for life.

Her sophomore year, she transferred to the Portland campus along with her fellow nursing students. After a year of rigorous studies and working part-time as a CNA, Paul took and passed the NCLEX on her first try, receiving an associate degree in nursing in 1986. The following year she worked parttime at Portland Adventist Medical Center as an RN and finished her studies, receiving a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Paul began working at the university in 2000 teaching critical care. Her students and colleagues immediately loved her, appreciating her humor, care, and incredible support for those around her. A few years later, she received her master’s of science in nursing from Oregon Health & Science University in 2004. In 2013, Paul started her doctoral degree at Walden University, and two years later was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her faith unwavering in God, Paul continued on in her studies and obtained her doctorate of nursing practice in 2017. After teaching acute care and pharmacology for more than 20 years, Paul stepped into the role of Dean of the School of Nursing. She retired in September of 2024.

Paul was deeply admired by her students, colleagues, and all those around her. Deanna Ludwig-Bos, assistant professor of nursing, said, “She simply was the best advocate for her students and never gave up on them. She would do anything to help them succeed.”

She is survived by her husband Donald Paul att. , and two sons Zachry and Ryan Paul of Beavercreek, Oregon, mother, Cleona Bazzy att. of College Place, Washington, and sister, Marklynn Bazzy, of Portland, Tennessee.