Beverly A. Thirlby

Beverly A. (Bradford) Thirlby, 86, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully in her home on April 25, 2025. Beverly was born on January 24, 1939 in Traverse City to the late Robert and Ida (Hall) Bradford. She married the love of her life, Edwin G. (Ed) Thirlby, on July 12, 1958. Ed and Beverly were the company founders of Thirlby Automotive. Around 1963, Ed and Beverly opened their first store on Lake Street along the Boardman River in Traverse City. Under their leadership, they opened a total of 12 stores prior to the sale of the business in March 2022.

Beverly loved racing; most importantly, car and boat racing. She was most passionate about Pro Outboard racing. Her passion for boat racing eventually became a family tradition as her husband, children, and grandchildren became involved in the sport. Over the years, Beverly was very active in the boat racing community. She forged relationships from coast to coast through the American Powerboat Association and the U.S. Title Series that will forever remain.

Beverly is survived by her children: Julie (Butch) Strait, Lynn (Tim) Swinehart, Edwin W. (Lyndsey Hennard) Thirlby, Mike (Julia) Thirlby. Her grandchildren: Lynn (Shawn) Helms, Crystal (Derek) Dehn, Whitney (Andrew) Porteus, Juliana (Joe) Schump, Jeffrey (Christina) Green, Dru (Lindsay) Green, Brandon (Leah) Thirlby, Collin (Ashley) Thirlby, Tyler (Kendra) Thirlby, Preston Thirlby, Andrew Thirlby and Parker Thirlby. Her great-grandchildren: Harrison and Charli (Lynn/Shawn) Helms; Sawyer, Elizabeth and Isaac (Crystal/Derek) Dehn; Madison (Whitney) Porteus; Wade, Claire and Henry (Juliana) Schump, Faith (Jeff/Christina) Green; Willa, Rosie and Mae (Drew/Lindsay) Green; Dani (Brandon/Leah) Thirlby; Easton and Lauren (Collin/Ashley) Thirlby; Karsyn and Alexander (Tyler/Kendra) Thirlby.

Beverly was preceded in death by her sister, Julie Bradford Telgard, and her two brothers, William Bradford and Leo Bradford.

Visitation and funeral services will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home located at 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, Michigan, 49684. Visitation begins at 10 am and the funeral services at 11 am. Graveside services will follow at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Cherryland Humane Society, 1750 Ahlberg Rd., Traverse City, MI 49696, https://www.cherrylandhumane.org/ or the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 29777 Telegraph Rd. #1651, Southfield, MI 48034, https://www.nationalmssociety.org/ .

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Beverly's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.