Obituary of Beverly Ruth Sunshine

Beverly Sunshine, Denver native, longtime downtown Denver resident and early member of Temple Sinai passed away, April 20, 2026.

Beverly was the youngest of two children born to the late Freida Marcus and Irving Marcus, and was the younger sister of the late Jack Marcus.

Beverly graduated from North High school in the Spring of 1956. At North, Beverly was a member of several service organizations and debate team.  Growing up on Denver’s West Side, Beverly was an active member of BBYO and formed many lifelong childhood friendships.       

Beverly was introduced to a handsome Lowry based Airforce cadet from New York, named Larry, by her childhood friend Sandy Schiff.  After a year-long engagement, Beverly and Larry were married on October 27, 1957 at the Hebrew Educational Alliance.  The couple was married for over 60 years.

Soon after the marriage the couple moved to New York. Beverly found work at the New York Telephone company.  On the weekends, Beverly would meet Larry in the city after securing discounted tickets to the many Broadway shows.  Larry’s Rockaway, NY friend group quickly embraced Beverly as an honorary New Yorker, where Beverly thrived in planning and organizing group gatherings and trips. 

In 1960, Beverly and Larry chose to return to Denver and raise a family.  Initially living in Golden, Larry joined Beverly’s father Irving as a partner at “Collins Finer Foods”, a downtown tavern on 14th & Glenarm.  This began Larry and Bev’s romance with downtown Denver long before it became popular.

Beverly and Larry welcomed daughter Leba in 1961, followed by three sons, Brian, Roger and Stuart.   With four children in tow, Beverly and Larry moved to Southeast Denver in 1968 and joined Temple Sinai, a newly created reform congregation.  For Beverly and Larry, Temple Sinai was the nucleus for religious education, Jewish friendships and a gathering place for simchas and holiday observances.  It also served as a community where Beverly and Larry forged lifelong friendships with members whose children were classmates and friends with the “Sunshine kids”.

Beverly was actively involved in each of her children’s lives.  Deftly managing a household that included a balanced focus on academics, religious education, music lessons, sports, 4H, and Scouting 

Having a keen eye and passion for following real estate, in 1978, Beverly obtained her real-estate license and worked for ERA Mesa Realty. 

In 1987, Beverly was able to realize her lifelong dream of living downtown.  This yearning dated back to her father’s ownership of the downtown Denver Elk Hotel (AKA the Barth Hotel) in the late 1920’s. Beverly was actively involved in the management of the two liquor stores they owned, and she was active in local liquor store associations.

In 1998, the liquor stores were sold and Beverly and Larry retired. In those first years that followed Beverly planned and organized trips spanning the globe. 

Once the travel bug was satisfied, Beverly and Larry turned their attention to their next act. While Larry found work as an usher/ambassador at many downtown sports and concert venues, Beverly went to work at Colorado Business Bank.  Her attention to detail and work ethic was appreciated and recognized through the many awards she received.  

All the while, Beverly developed a reputation as a respected downtown Denver small business owner and advocate for its vibrancy and safety.   Beverly served several terms on Mayor Hancock’s Commission on Aging and was frequently asked to act as a spokesperson and expert on the topic of revitalizing Downtown Denver.  Beverly was a strong advocate for and patron of downtown cultural and performing arts and all it had to offer.    

More than anything else, Beverly relished her role of Bubbie to seven grandchildren.  With the birth of each grandchild Beverly and Larry would immediately board a plane, to Texas or California, ready to lend a hand. As the grandchildren grew, these trips were made many times each year.  In her later years, Beverly would melt away the miles with regular phone calls to each grandchild, all of whom were named “precious”, like her mother Frieda did with Beverly’s children, imparting gentle guidance, support and unconditional love. 

Like her husband Larry, Beverly was a ray of Sunshine to all who knew her.

Beverly is survived by her children Leba Sunshine (Denver), Brian (Julie) Sunshine (Salado, TX), Roger Sunshine (Austin, TX) and Stuart (Lisbet) Sunshine (Larkspur, CA); grandchildren Nathaniel (Rachel), Benjamin, Madeline, Ethan, Matteus, Eric and Olivia; brother-in law Morton Sunshine (the late Gloria) and sisters-in-law Shirley (the late Mitchell) Carness and Faye (the late Gil) Villeneuve.

Contributions may be made to Temple Sinai’s Doron Abosch Memorial Fund, Rabbi Rhein’s Discretionary Fund, or the charity of your choice.