Beryl Nathan, born Beryl Pursell, passed away on April 9, 2026, at the age of 81 in Tualatin, Oregon. She was a woman of deep faith, boundless warmth, and a joyful spirit that touched everyone who knew her.
Beryl was born on July 20, 1944, in Longview, Washington, to Samuel and Naomi Pursell. Her family moved several times during her childhood before settling in the Portland area, where she graduated from Franklin High School in 1962.
She went on to attend Portland Community College, where she earned her LVN license. Shortly after, she married Ken Barker, and together they had two children Scott and Traci.
The family settled in Santa Maria in 1978. They were married for 15 years.
In 1985, Beryl was hired by Santa Barbara Research Company, which eventually became Raytheon. It was there she met and married Don Winn. They shared 20 loving years together until his passing in 2011.
Through Don, Beryl gained two stepchildren Pam (Alan) Rondina and Don Winn Jr., as well as a step-grandson Michael Rondina, with whom she stayed in touch right up until her passing.
Beryl continued working at Raytheon until 2015, retiring after a 30-year career she was immensely proud of, having navigated the company’s many buyouts and mergers along the way.
In 2018, a friend from Oregon asked if she could share Beryl’s phone number with Gary Nathan, a widower. Beryl agreed, and after weeks of long phone conversations, she traveled to Oregon to meet him in person. They married in 2019 in Santa Maria. Beryl then moved to Tualatin to begin this wonderful new chapter.
Beryl had many passions that kept her busy and fulfilled. She loved to sew and embroider, spending countless hours on her craft. She was an avid baker and jelly maker, and she loved to travel and explore new places with her husband, friends or her daughter and her family.
She was always up for trying new things, too, like beekeeping in her backyard, and deciding in her 60s to learn to play the mandolin. She showed everyone that you’re never too old to do new things.
In Santa Maria, Beryl was deeply involved with Pacific Christian Center, where her fellow congregants became like family. She volunteered countless hours wherever she was needed. She was also a proud member of Santa Maria Elks Lodge #1538 and attended many member and charity events.
After moving to Tualatin, she found a new church home at The Neighborhood Church, where she once again gave her time generously and formed close bonds with her fellow members.
Beryl was a devout Christian who loved God, her family, and her friends, and that love shone through in everything she did.
Beryl was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Donald Winn; and her brothers Clyde (Faye) Pursell and James Cox.
She is survived by her husband Gary Nathan of Tualatin; son Scott Barker; daughter Traci (Paul) Grothe; grandchildren Madeline Grothe and Thomas Grothe; brother Gary (Marian) Pursell; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Beryl was dearly loved by all who came in contact with her. Her sweet demeanor and willingness to help made others feel at ease and helped her develop many close friendships. She was also very close to her children and grandchildren, who love and miss her every day.
A Hawaiian-themed memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 13 in the sanctuary at Pacific Christian Center, with a reception to follow in Palmer Hall at Pacific Christian Center, 3435 Santa Maria Way, Santa Maria. Feel free to wear Hawaiian attire.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, The American Liver Foundation, or your favorite church or charity.