Frances Elizabeth Hemenway

Frances Elizabeth “Beth” Hemenway
June 4, 1948 to February 5, 2020 (Age 71)

Frances Elizabeth (Beth) Hemenway, 71, of Caldwell, died Friday, February 5, 2020 at home after a long battle with Alzheimer’s/Dementia. She was with her loving husband,Gene. There will be a private time with direct family when arrangements can be made.

Beth was first diagnosed with breast cancer at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN in the year 2000. She went on to battle cancer four different times with chemo therapy, radiation, and overlapping radiation. She fought those fights with hope, grace, courage and dignity. Her last battle was to fight Alzheimer's Dementia which was first diagnosed in about 2010. It is a brain disease that is almost beyond what words can describe and worse in many ways than the cancer that she fought so bravely. Her final 3 years of life was a continuing and relentless progression of the disease with no hope that she would get better. The family wishes to recognize those who diagnosed and cared for Beth over the years. Dr. James Ingle at the Mayo Clinic and the wonderful team of doctors and caregivers at St. Lukes Boise including Dr Paul Montgomery, Dr Tim Sawyer, Dr Sylvana Bucur, Dr Martha Cline and Dr Laura Ashby. The team at MSTI were wonderful. Beth stayed at her home with her husband and her golden retriever Jacob through her illnesses. In the final 3 years of her life she was helped by loving attentive caregivers who came to her home to care for her. We thank Gail, Janet, Susan, and Shawna for their attentive and loving care that they gave to Beth. We thank All Care Hospice and their nurses and staff for coming to our home to care for Beth in conjunction with Beth’s daily caregivers. All care and Beth’s daily caregivers were able to make Beth comfortable in the final year of her life.

Beth was born in National City, California on June 4, 1948 and lived in that area near San Diego until she came to Caldwell in 1964. She was preceded in death by her father, mother and one sister. She is survived by her brother Chuck Berry and her sister Dinah (Sue) Krasselt, and Barbara Flanders. Beth had 2 sons, Christopher Lance Obay (Casey) and Tommy Ray Obay (Grace) and 2 step sons, John Charles Hemenway (Kristine) and Micahel Paul Hemenway (April). She had 11 grandchildren who are all beyond special and she loved them deeply and truly. The best times in Beth’s life were the times that she could be with her sons, their wives, and her beautiful grandchildren. Beth was a good cook and she loved to cook for her friends and family. Many of her recipes are still used by friends and family. Beth was very active when she was younger and enjoyed running, playing tennis, downhill skiing, snow shoeing, and dancing. She enjoyed bridge and treasured her friendship with the ladies in her bridge groups. Beth had a great eye for decorating and enjoyed crafts and creating dry flower arrangements and wreaths. Her beautiful wreaths can be found in the homes of many friends and families.

Beth was married to Gene Hemenway in 1976. It was a magical love and marriage filled with passion and great fun. Beth and Gene had similar goals and similar dreams. They were partners, companions, and good friends.

Beth worked very hard in her life. She opened and worked in Beth’s Beauty Salon in 1972. Many of her customers are still friends and they have fond memories of Beth and of Jo and Cindy who worked for and with Beth for 20 years. Beth worked long days in the Beauty shop and then when she finished her day at the beauty shop, she went to work at The Saratoga restaurant which she and husband Gene purchased in 1984 and owned for 5 years. Beth was injured with tennis elbow and after surgery and rehab she could not continue working in the beauty shop so at her husbands suggestion, she began a career in real estate in 1989. She was an immediate success and a star in the real estate business. People liked Beth and they trusted her. Beth became a real estate broker and the owner of her own real estate business Better Homes and Gardens, The Preferred Company. Beth was a multi million dollar producer in each of her years in the real estate business. She was not only one of the top producing agents in the treasure valley but she was awarded national production honors in the Better Homes and Gardens system for listings and sales volume. Her metals, plaques and trophies filled her walls. She competed well and she won.

Beth and Gene built a home in 1999 at the Meadowcreek Golf Resort in New Meadows and enjoyed a good life there for 20 years. Beth and Gene made many good friends at Meadowcreek and enjoyed entertaining friends and family through the years. It was a special place and a good place to be during Beth’s battles with cancer and finally with Alzheimer's Dementia.

Beth was a beautiful lady and a beautiful person.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable contributions in memory of Beth Hemenway be made to Brain Support Network, www.brainsupportnetwork.org, PO Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94026.. Such charitable contributions will assist other families like ours in making comprehensive brain donation arrangements to help Alzheimer's and other brain disease research.

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