Community Stories
Ed and Ann Albertson fund graduate students to honor the lives of Auntie Bev and Uncle Jim
| June 4, 2026
Jim and Beverly Loomis never chased fame or fortune. For 43 years, they built a quiet, loving life together in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts — Jim working in radio, Beverly in various jobs including a beloved stint as a server at Friendly’s Restaurant. Both believed deeply in education and lifelong learning, and while they never had children of their own, they poured that love into their niece and nephews, treating them as if they were their own.
Their niece, Beth, married Ed Albertson, bringing him into the warmth of the Loomis family. In 2011, Ed began riding with Pelotonia, and Auntie Bev, as Beverly was affectionately known, became one of his most loyal supporters. Cancer had greatly affected their family; Beth died of stomach cancer in 2017, and Beth’s two brothers also died from cancer. These losses became a source of inspiration for Ed to continue participating in Pelotonia each year. Several years later, after reconnecting with a high school classmate, Ann, the two married. When Ann moved to Ohio to be with Ed, she was quickly introduced to Pelotonia and felt an immediate connection to its mission, shaped in part by her own experience of losing both of her parents to cancer.
“Pelotonia is a part of us,” they agreed. “Every year, somebody we know personally gets cancer. It’s everywhere, and it’s awful.”
When Auntie Bev passed away in August 2023, Ed — who had served as her Power of Attorney and Executor — and Ann saw an opportunity to honor her life. In her final weeks, Auntie Bev had shared a quiet sadness: she had no children and worried she would leave no legacy. Ed had made a silent promise to fix that. The answer, they agreed, was Pelotonia. After engaging Pelotonia for options on how they could create a meaningful memorial gift, Ed and Ann made a generous donation from Auntie Bev’s estate funding two Pelotonia Graduate Scholars at The Ohio State University in the names of Jim and Beverly Loomis. Their donation is covering tuition and fees, enabling the Scholars to focus fully on advancing cancer research without financial burdens.
Ed Albertson (left) sits with Auntie Bev Loomis (right), who was one of his biggest fundraising supporters.
When Auntie Bev passed away, Ed (center left) and his wife, Ann (center right), worked with Pelotonia to leave a gift in Auntie Bev's and Uncle Jim's name, which funds two graduate students.
“I can write a check to another organization, but I don’t know who gets that check, I don’t know what they do with that check, and it’s gone,” said Ann. “But we know through Pelotonia where our contribution has gone to. That’s the way it should be.”
Ed, drawing on his army days, called Pelotonia a force multiplier. “One person can’t do as much as a number of people unified together. The idea that we could sponsor two young, brilliant researchers — wow! Maybe they’ll go out and have their own labs. Maybe they will cure cancer.“
Ed and Ann met the two Pelotonia Scholars who were the recipients of their gift in February 2025. For Ann, it was unforgettable. “I just kept looking at them and envisioning their future,” she said. “It was a warm feeling. We think of them often.”
As for what Auntie Bev would think of this gift? Ed and Ann instantly agreed she’d say: “That’s just perfect.”
Auntie Bev worried she and Jim would leave no legacy. She was wrong, and thanks to her loving family, their legacy is helping to end cancer.
This article appeared in the Spring 2026 issue of the Pelotonia Insider, which can be found here.
