Remembering Generous Philanthropist Bea Taplin

Bea began a lifelong journey with Children’s Hospital Colorado in the 1950s, when she served as a young pediatric nurse. Bea maintained a strong connection to the children and families served by Children’s Colorado long after her nursing career ended and was a generous and committed supporter of our mission for more than seven decades.

Children’s Colorado’s patients and medical experts remained close to Bea’s heart for most of her life. She affectionately told the story of her early relationship with her husband, Thomas. Their second date was planned for Christmas. Yet, Bea was scheduled to work at the hospital that day and would not consider being away from her patients on the holiday, so their date was rescheduled. Thankfully, Bea shared her heart not only with Children’s Colorado, but also with Tom and their children.

Bea committed more than $23 million to support the hospital in her lifetime. Over many decades, she generously donated to nursing, pediatric cancer, community health initiatives, and the greatest needs of the hospital.

In 1998, she and Thomas established the Children’s Hospital Colorado Chair in Pediatric Nursing, the first of four chairs they generously endowed at the hospital. Bea answered the call to support Children’s Colorado in her later years, as one of the first donors to make a significant gift in support of COVID relief in 2019 and donating $2.5 million to support the Wellness Program in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in 2021.

Bea served on the Children’s Hospital Colorado Board of Directors from 1967-1984 and was appointed a Children’s Colorado Lifetime Director in 2009.

“In the early years of her board service, the hospital board was made up of women who cared deeply about the children of our community,” said Jena Hausmann, President and CEO of Children’s Colorado and the Cille B. and Ronald W. Williams Endowed Chair in Executive Leadership.

Jen Darling, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation, partnered with Bea for more than 30 years as she established her unforgettable philanthropic legacy throughout the Denver community.

“Bea was strong-willed and passionate until her death, and that energy served Children’s Colorado and the broader Denver nonprofit community immensely throughout her life,” said Jen.

During her long relationship with Children’s Colorado, Bea made sure that every decision was in the best interests of patients and their families.

“I was inspired by every conversation I had with Bea. Some of my favorite meetings took place in her beautiful garden, where we would talk about how the hospital was growing as we sipped lemonade,” Jen remembered.

“She was one of the most proper women I have ever known, and yet fierce about improving pediatric healthcare, the cultural arts, and Denver at large.”

Bea Taplin served Children’s Hospital Colorado with the heart of a nurse and gave generously with the vision of a leader, and she will be deeply missed.