Maureen Anne Bevans
April 23, 1947 – October 23, 2023
Maureen Anne Bevans (nee Spencer) passed away on October 23, 2023 at the age of 76. Beloved
wife, mother, sister, nana, and friend. She loved many and was loved by many.
Maureen was born on April 23, 1947 at St. Mary's Hospital in Long Beach, California, the
youngest of four children born to Owen and Adeline Spencer. She spent the early years of her
childhood growing up on a farm in Santa Ana, California in a house that her father designed and
built for the family. Later in her childhood, Maureen's family moved to the Belmont Shore
neighborhood of Long Beach, California where she loved spending her summer days at the
beach with her sister, Kathy, floating on the water in their innertubes.
Maureen graduated from St. Anthony Catholic High School in Long Beach, class of 1965. After
high school she worked at the VA Hospital. In 1967, Maureen met the love of her life, Bruce
Dennis Bevans, at a local dance hall. After a 6-month courtship, Bruce and Maureen were
married on January 13, 1968 at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Long Beach.
Bruce and Maureen moved to Orange County in 1970. They eventually settled in the South
Orange County area where they raised their three beautiful children, Robin Zar (nee Bevans),
Christopher Bevans, and Wesley Bevans. Bruce and Maureen spent many years living in South
Orange County where they met and made so many dear lifelong friends.
After their children were grown, Bruce and Maureen decided they wanted to relocate to an area
with a slower pace of life, and eventually moved to the Fallbrook area, where Maureen lived for
the remainder of her life. Maureen made many new friends in the Fallbrook area through St.
Peter the Apostle parish and various other social groups and organizations. She was an avid (and
extremely competitive) game player, whether it be mahjong (her favorite), rummy, or pretty
much any card game she came across. But even more than winning, what she enjoyed most about
those games was the opportunity to gather and spend time with her friends.
So important to Maureen was her Catholic faith. She was instrumental in bringing her husband,
Bruce, into the Catholic faith as a convert and she lived every day of her life showing charity and
compassion to all people. She was a longtime parishioner at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in
Fallbrook and was a beloved member of their parish community.
As a wife and mother, Maureen always gave her all. She was tirelessly devoted to her family. As
a wife, Maureen devoted herself completely to the love and care of her husband, Bruce. And he,
in turn, loved Maureen more than anything. They truly were an example to all of a loving and
devoted married couple. As a mother, Maureen loved her children unconditionally. She was
always a constant and supportive presence in their lives growing up. And when her children were
grown, she was always there for a phone call to lend a sympathetic ear, offer some advice, and
ALWAYS ready to answer any questions about a recipe. And after they were grown, Maureen
loved nothing more than when her children were all gathered together with her and Bruce.
Throughout her life Maureen was known for her extraordinary graciousness and generosity and
was famous for hosting large gatherings at her home, the most cherished being her Christmas
parties. No matter if you were a long-time friend, a new acquaintance, or someone who just
needed a place to spend Christmas, Maureen opened her home to all. As everyone who knew her
can attest, Maureen was just so much fun to be around. And when asked if she was up for a new
adventure or fun activity, you might hear her respond with "does a pig have a squiggly tail?"
Maureen is survived by her husband of 55 years, Bruce, her children Robin, Christopher, and
Wesley, her grandchildren Ariana Bevans and Isabella Zar, her oldest sister Patty Endly (nee
Spencer), her older sister Kathy Hansen (nee Spencer), they truly were two peas in a pod, and her
big brother Michael Spencer—her hero growing up.
Maureen will be dearly missed by her family and by too many friends to count.
Rosary will be held at 1:00 p.m. on November 16, 2023 at Mission San Luis Rey, with Funeral
Mass at 1:30 p.m., with graveside service to immediately follow at the Missions San Luis Rey
cemetery. A reception and celebration of life will be held immediately after at Arrowood Golf
Course banquet/reception hall.