Beverly H. Germain

BEVERLY H. GERMAIN, 86, LAKELAND " Bev Germain""s happy and productive life ended on July 16 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center surrounded by all her family. Bev was raised in Michigan and with husband Ed Germain moved to Lakeland in 1966 when Ed was transferred by his employer Agrico. While being a homemaker to three children, Bev was constantly expanding her horizons through a tremendous internal drive that would earn her a decades-long, successful and visionary entrepreneurial career as both owner of Showcase Real Estate and as a real estate investor. With Ed by her side, her zest for life led her on travels around the world, to create many works of art, to playing in a long-running band, to lively Saturday night""s square dancing with friends at Buttons & Bows, and to create a backyard botanical oasis that served as the site for neighborhood Easter egg hunts and more. The ultimate optimistic problem solver, she was able to guide her three children to successful college degrees and fulfilling careers and then served as unbelievable grandmother to grandkids Alex, Carl, Elise, Katie and Kelly. She was also surrogate grandmother to children in her neighborhood, children of friends and family, and always had a homemade chocolate chip cookie ready to create instant smiles. She returned to college at age 52 to earn a degree from the University of South Florida. Her zest for intellectual pursuits continued later in life with Bev becoming a published author of her treatise What Happened to America and What to Do About It and completing her next book, War Scams and More Scams, just before passing with the help of friend Earl Sutton. She is survived by son Brian Germain and daughter-in-law Chris Germain, daughter Bonnie Bertolino and son-in-law Bill Bertolino, son Steve Germain, sister Crystal Cederquist, grandchildren Alex Germain, Katie and Kelly Germain, Carl and Elise Bertolino, and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by close friend and companion Earl Sutton. A celebration of Bev""s abundantly rich life will be held at Heath Funeral Chapel Tribute Center in Lakeland on July 22. Visitation from 11 a.m. to noon. Service begins at noon. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Service: 07/22/2015 Heath Funeral Chapel- Tribute Center 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801 Heath Funeral Chapel - Tribute Center Visitation: 07/22/2015 Heath Funeral Chapel - Tribute Center