Bly (Dean) Tyrrell

Bly Dean Beasley Tyrrell was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 7th, 1915 to Robert A. Dean and Ellen Jacobs Dean. She passed away on October 5, 2018 in Mesquite, Nevada where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law Marilyn and Carl Larsen. She grew up during the Great Depression and was immeasurably shaped by the experience. She attended South High School the first year it opened in 1931. Bly moved to California in 1962 and worked in retail management for most of her professional career, when many women were discouraged from working outside the home. She was named after the great 18th century female journalist and explorer Nellie Bly and became a pioneer in her own right. After retiring she focused on civic involvement, starting the first Ladies Democratic Club in Riverside County, California and a program called Friends of the Homebound, which helped Sr. Citizens confined to their homes. Bly was also the senior citizen representative to the Calimesa Council. She was very proud that she voted in every presidential election that she was eligible. She believed that staying social was key to her long life and encouraged everyone to try new things like she did when she went to work at Crafton College in her 80s. 

Bly is survived by her daughters Marilyn (Carl) Larsen and Marlene (Bob) Killian, 52 grandchildren spanning three generations as well as numerous special nieces and nephews in California. Preceded in death by parents, sisters Zuella Fanning and Dorothy Wood, and brother Donald Dean. Also survived by her longtime friend and sometimes caretaker Evie Ferrandini who helped Bly live independently until she was 99. 

Graveside services will be held Saturday, October 13th at 12:00 noon at the Valley View Memorial Park located at 4335 W 4100 S, West Valley City, UT 84120.  The family invites you to leave and message or memory in their Guest Book.

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