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Beatrice Pohto
11/30/1939 — 04/17/2025
From Richland, Wa | Born in No Agua, NM
Beatrice Pohto
Beatrice Mary Pohto, 85, passed away in her home while being cared for by family, on April 17, 2025 in Eastern Washington.
Born November 30, 1939 in No Agua, New Mexico, she was the daughter of Regina (Herrera) Martinez and Rafael Martinez. She was number 9 of 12 kids. She attended public schools in Romeo, Colorado and in Utah. In 1951 her father Rafael, a WWI veteran, moved the family to Hunter (now part of West Valley), Utah where she started 4th grade.
While living in Salt Lake City, she met the love of her life, Ralph Pohto. They drove to Great Falls in their Rambler station wagon, “Ramblin’ Rose”, and were married September 18, 1962 in the Methodist Church by Reverend Vernon Hanks.
In 1967 Ralph and Bea moved from Salt Lake City to Richland. After a few years they moved to Idaho, she attended nursing school and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. They raised their kids Mark and Marina on a beautiful farm in Moore. She worked at the Lost River Valley hospital and was loved by all. The family of four had some of the best times of their lives climbing mountains, fishing, hunting for arrowheads and beautiful rocks, cross-country skiing and camping. They travelled the Western US states, Mexico and Canada in their 1971 GMC pickup. After the kids graduated Ralph and Bea moved around. They lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, San Jose, California, Pottstown, Pennsylvania and Clinton, Illinois. During these cross-country travels, she worked and maintained her Nursing license in each of six states (ID, IO, CA, PA, IL and WA). They returned to Washington in 2002 and she worked at Kadlec hospital until retirement. Bea was loved by friends, neighbors, patients and hospital staff for her exceptional care and kindness.
Bea and Ralph were one, their love was the deepest and most lasting love one could hope for. Shortly after Ralph’s passing on April 1, 2025, she was called by her parents, siblings, daughter and true love to join them in heaven. She asked her son how everyone was and if they were all going to be ok, she spoke with several of them on calls in her final minutes and once she was confident that they would be ok, she said I love you to her son, thanked him and peacefully and fearlessly reunited with her husband.
Bea is survived by son, Mark G. and his wife Victoria, grandsons Mark E., Cody J., and granddaughter Karen of San Antonio, TX. She has seven great grandchildren. Her sister Helen lives in Utah. Bea was sadly predeceased by her dear daughter Marina, RN, who died – too soon – November 22, 2005.
Bea was not materialistic. She was generous, acquired very few things and wasted nothing. Growing up with very little but with a close and loving family, her priorities were clearly family, friends, and pets. She always cared for others well-being before her own.
The Pohto family thanks Bea’s friends and acquaintances for their time together. Soon there will be family trek to Montana, visiting the church in Great Falls where she married her eternal love. The trek will conclude with a short memorial service at Forestvale Cemetery in Helena where she will be reunited with family. There will be a marker at Sunset Gardens, near Marina’s resting place so she can be visited and remembered locally.
In lieu of flowers, please send any memorial donations to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Oh, Pray you enjoy the fruits of your labor, Bea, in Heaven, You were such a blessing as you cared for all who came into your life. It was a pleasure to be able to work and laugh with you at KMC. Will pray for you and yours on the anniversary of your death. love
Dear Mark, Victoria, and family… sending heartfelt condolences across the miles hoping there’s serenity and joy in the cherished moments and special memories you shared with your loved ones.
Aunt Beatrice and Uncle Ralph were always held in high esteem in our family. They were the epitome of a blessed marriage as they grew together in grace and love and always led by example.
We loved listening and reading about their adventurous life.
They taught us so much about our heritage and ancestors, and we will forever be grateful for their wisdom and knowledge.
Please find comfort in knowing that they are no longer suffering and they are at peace and in perfect health the way God made them. They are now in the presence of our Lord and Savior, as well as with the rest of our loved ones. They will be watching over you and yours as your guardian Angels.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Additionally, I will be making a donation to T2T foundation.💖🙏🏼💝
With much love and admiration,
Phyllis Martinez-Seyler and family. (on behalf of Phil and Frances Martinez … brother and sister-in-law).
God Bless Bea and Ralph.
I will always remember how sweet and kind they were to me and my husband Russ on a hot summer night in 2023. We showed up with two big yellow labs, and they welcomed us as if we were family.
Mom to me seemed like an angel on earth – a devoted wife and mother, and caregiver to all.
Her simple and enviable love story with her beloved husband, Ralph who preceded her in death by 16 days, stands out as a rare gift and testament to their union under God.
The (working) June to her Ward Cleaver, she made a loving and comfortable home for her family while caring for others as a nurse, even while Dad’s work moved them across several states. When Mark and Marina were all grown up her pups helped fill the space in her days at home. She doted on her puppies and may have been accused of spoiling them even more than her human family.
Alongside her loving demeaner she had an innocent mischievous side that she shared in particular with her brother, Robert. She and her siblings whether at a family reunion or long distance over the phone had an endless supply of laughs recounting past shenanigans.
Dad would make games out of everyday events to Mom’s delight and Mom would hide treats all around the house for the fur babies when she and Dad left the house.
With Mom’s first language being Spanish and our many meals at Mexican restaurants, I found it hilarious that Dad never learned to like tortillas. But she loved him just the same.
With all of her nurturing, optimism and her infectious laugh, Mom standing just over 5′ was a strong and fierce protector of her flock. As one of the younger of 12 children she was scrappy and loyal – the best of the Mama bears.
Mom was Dad’s partner in the annual winter jacket drive, and she took it upon herself to make up Christmas bags for the local Mission in Pasco. She was a living testament of what an uplifting and powerful impact a woman can have on her family and all those she encountered along her path.
Mom was blessed with a beautiful and peaceful passing from the side of her son to the arms of Jesus and all of her family who preceded her in death.
Mom, you are loved and missed but your kind and gentle spirit lives on in all whose lives you touched. Until we meet again in the arms of our Savior.
Your loving daughter (in-law),
Victoria Pohto
Bea thank you for bringing such a wonderful son into this world and Mark is now our son in law. We did not have the pleasure of knowing you and Ralph well because of the miles. You are with the love of your life and you two had a very nice and eventful life time together. Don’t know who could ask for more. You both will be missed and cherished for your time here. God will surely wrap you with open arms.
We will all miss Bea and Ralph. They have always been such a choice family with their two children . We always looked forward to the times when they came to SLC, UT or when we visited them in Shelley, ID, Moore, ID, or Richland, WA. We always looked forward to their special Christmas Cards each year. We enjoyed the Memorial book on Ralael and Regina Martinez and Family, I’m so grateful for the times we spent singing and enjoying each others company. Until we meet again, all our love and blessings, Margaret Martinez. And Family
Bea and Ralph were the nicest people you could ever hope to know. I was a rowdy teenage neighbor living next door when I meet the Pohto’s and at that time didn’t know haw lucky I was . They ended up being great friends of our family through out our lives. They were also my parents best friends and in my parents later years helped them out a lot. Bea always had the best smile when she saw you and that is how I always think of her, which I do often when thinking of my parents. Love to all the Pohto Family!
Bea your smile always came shining through and the caring concern along with a listening ear was also evident each time we saw you! You as well as Ralph will be so very missed! We know you are at peace now! Thank you for being there for us ! Love you!
I very much remember how. Gracious and down right nice they were. I will never forget them.
Lady Bea, we thank you for all the smiles you gave us at NWUP church. You will be missed very much.
My Dear Auntie I think of you everyday and I always will, We had so many laughs and good times with you. I treasure every phone call me and you had, I loved hearing your voice, laugh and seeing your contagious smile, You were such a big part of my life ever since I was born and I am so thankful and grateful for that. Thank you so much for for everything you did for me and my Mom. Me my children and grandchildren will miss you so much. I could write probably all day here with lots of stories I have about you. You and uncle Ralph were one of a kind people and anyone who did not know you missed out on a lot.
The Ken Martinez Family
Guestbook for
Beatrice Pohto