Beth Ann Topliff-Gentry

Beth Ann Topliff-Gentry was born August 6, 1971 in Wheat Ridge, CO to James V. and Annabelle Topliff. Beth grew up in Lakewood with her sister Amy Topliff (Alexander). She attended and graduated from Lakewood High School in Lakewood, CO in 1989. In 1991 Beth enrolled in Front Range Community College where she graduated from the Interpreter Preparation Program in 1993. Beth moved to Merino, CO to take her first job as an interpreter that fall at Merino High School and then later at Northeastern Junior College. Beth met Ron Gentry who was a student at the community college in 1994. Getting involved in a serious relationship with Ron, Beth followed him to Fort Collins, CO. As Ron attended classes at Colorado State University Beth continued to sharpen her skills as an interpreter at the same institution. Beth received her RID certification in 1996. Beth and Ron were wed the summer of 1996 in Lakewood, CO at Green Mountain United Methodist Church. Ron Graduated from CSU in the fall of 1997 and took a job in Cortez, CO for the spring semester of 1998. Beth stayed behind in Lakewood, CO so she could continue to work. She eventually moved to Cortez, CO to be with Ron in the spring of 1999 as an interpreting position opened there. She was not happy in Cortez and after the spring semester Ron took a job at Douglas County High School for the fall semester of 1999 so the two could be closer to Beth’s work in the Denver Area. Beth and Ron were divorced in November of 1999. Beth immersed herself in her work while Ron joined the army. After the divorce Beth moved to Cedar Rapids, IA and worked at the University of Iowa as an interpreter. Eventually she missed her home and family and moved into Denver where she continued to work in her chosen field. She was married to Brian Ewing for 5 years. Beth’s nephew Ian was born in February, 2007. Beth was thrilled to be and aunt to Ian, her “Cheeky Monkey.” Beth reconnected with Ron through social media and the two said their apologies to each other. Old love was quickly rekindled and the two were again a couple. Shortly after becoming pregnant Beth was diagnosed with breast cancer June 3, 2010. She endured a double mastectomy, painful reconstructive surgery, and placement of a permanent port for chemotherapy treatment. Dr. Virginia Borges of the University of Colorado became Beth’s oncologist. A plan was formulated, and Beth underwent 4 sessions of chemotherapy while pregnant with Wyatt. Bald and pregnant Beth married Ron Gentry for the second time October 22, 2010. Their son Wyatt Jackson Gentry was born December, 2010 at the same hospital that Beth was born in. The three lived in Ft. Morgan, Colorado. Beth had to split her time between Ft. Morgan and Denver where her cancer treatment was. The young family moved to their new home in Brighton, CO in October, 2013 Life went on for them in what became a normal pattern for the family. They enjoyed spending their free time in Granby, CO and Ogallala, NE. The family’s life was fitted around Beth’s cancer treatments and everything had its place. They functioned in what was to them normal. Beth and Ron promised each other to remain positive and hold an optimistic attitude through it all. Beth was pronounced No Evidence of Disease twice. These were happy times for the family as things were looking promising. Cancer, however, had a different plan and in the fall of 2015 it came back. No longer content to simply toy with Beth, it chose instead to lock into mortal combat with her. Numerous treatments were tried and failed. With each attempt the treatments became harsher and harsher in an attempt to beat the cancer. They robbed Beth of her physical strength, her health and eventually her quality of life suffered. Beth’s weight loss was dramatic as the cancer ravaged her body and clogged her lungs. Through it all as a testament to her strength of character, Beth stayed focused, strong, and kept her fighting spirit stoked with the fires of determination and love for her family. Beth made her decision as she had made every other major decision in her life; with firm conviction and rock solid resolve. She had decided to cheat cancer out of its hold over her. With a level of bravery known only by those in the direst circumstances of combat and rewarded by medals, Beth resorted to a scorched Earth tactic. Reversing the tide of the battle with cancer in a Pyrrhic victory on May 31 st 2016, Beth deprived cancer of the battlefield itself. Cancer had not won, and she did not lose her battle, she left on her terms with her warrior spirit intact. Rest easy in the halls of Valhalla my love I whisper through my tears, no one had earned it more than you. Memorial services will be held at Green Mountain United Methodist Church 12755 W Cedar Dr, Lakewood, CO 80228 on June 16, 2016. Seating will begin at 2:00 p.m. with services to start 2:20 p.m. You are welcome to attend and celebrate Beth’s life with us. In lieu of flowers donations can be made for Wyatt Gentry’s college fund. Those donations can be made to: Wyatt Gentry, 470 Stable Court, Brighton, CO 80601.