Bean was a lover of life and everyone in hers.

She was the one who put bags of goodies together and drove all over the city to deliver them for many holidays. When she could no longer drive because of Alzheimer's she was most worried about not being able to deliver festive holiday treats to her friends.

Catherine Woodiwiss writes that "Trauma permanently changes us…The goal of healing … is to acknowledge and wear your new life — warts, wisdom and all — with courage." Bean faced a lot of trauma and she did emerge as Woodiwiss suggests wearing her new life with courage. She got up and walked with her one remaining good leg. She listened with her one good ear. She wore her ostomy bag with confidence and taught support groups for the Crohn's and Colitis Organization. And, she interacted with generosity of spirit and a smile with whatever was still working in her brain.

She always got up….. and then she didn't….

Before she was "Bean" she was "Boots". She was a small child about the size of a toddler when she started to Kindergarten in Bayard, Iowa where she grew up. She would only wear black engineer boots. Thus, her first nickname. She became Bean while working in education in Omaha, NE.  And she has been Bean ever since she moved to Colorado in 1977. Many only knew her by that name.

We all have known people who enrich our lives. For Bean enriching the lives of her friends and family was second nature and required. She was generous when she had little and more generous when she had a lot. Alzheimer's changed her in many ways but some Bean things remained unchanged. Her love for animals was as mountainous as her environment in Denver. Her ashes have been commingled with those of her pets. That was important to her.

She loved flowers, especially poppies. Bean loved to bake and everyone who knew her benefited from her baking talent. She loved to dance and possessed a real talent for it, even with only one good leg. She loved doing puzzles and playing cards with friends. Every opportunity she had to work with kids she took. She was a dedicated Broncos fan, was president of the Sammy Winder Fan Club and went to every Super Bowl game. She loved the Avalanche, had conversations with Joe Sakic and attended many hockey matches. Celebrations were her forte' and her Fourth of July parties where 100+ attended celebrating and kazooing the birth of this nation were legendary…even if you weren't a kazooer…

Bean engaged in life without hesitation and with exuberance living every moment with a smile on her face and genuine love in her heart. The hard times never overshadowed her love of life and everyone in hers. That love in her heart became more child-like as Alzheimer's had its way with her, yet the power of her sweet kindness allowed most to look past the Alzheimer's and accept the pure and simple expressions of love that came with a handshake, a lean in or a hug from Bean.

Officially, Peggy was born in Manning, IA to Fred and Phyllis Nance who preceded her in death. She is survived by her big sister, Marcia K Nance who lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL, cousins who live in NW Iowa and Chicago, IL and many friends. Her big sister wrote this and wanted to reveal Bean's HOW… because her big sister is of the opinion that a person's character is calibrated by HOW he/she/they choose to live and Bean was a person who lived an extraordinary life that demonstrated substantial character.  What we will miss most is HOW she lived and HOW she brought us all into her life.

A Celebration of Life will be presented on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the ViewHouse Centennial Restaurant 7101 S Clinton St, Centennial, CO  80112 from 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm. There will be a short program when friends and guests are encouraged to share memories of Bean. There may also be kazoos…