Beverley S. Schraer

Middletown, NY

Beverley S. Schraer, a longtime resident of the Middletown area, former instructor of nursing at the Middletown Psychiatric Center School of Nursing and Community Health nurse, died on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at home. She was 76.

Beverley was born in Alexandria, IN on November 15, 1931 to Bess and John Willis. She attended high school in Hagerstown, IN and upon graduation received a full scholarship to McLean Hospital School of Nursing, the Psychiatric Division of Massachusetts General Hospital. After graduation, Beverley returned to work in the hospitals of Indiana. In 1961, she accepted a position at the Middletown Psychiatric Center where she remained in varying capacities until her retirement in 1993. In 1967, she was awarded a full scholarship from the NY State Dept. of Mental Hygiene to attend SUNY New Paltz where she awarded a BA in Psychology.

Beverley is survived by her husband, William of 48 years; daughter, Lyn and a son-in-law, David Joiner of New Providence, NJ. She is also survived by siblings: Thelma Neal, David Hilbert, and Max Hilbert of New Castle, IN; sisters-in-law, Rosemary Hilbert of New Castle, IN, and Joan Schraer of Somerset, MA; nieces and nephews, Jennifer, Amanda and Jacob Neal, and Melissa Hilbert, all of New Castle, IN, Angela Hilbert of Anderson, IN, Jeff Hilbert of Cincinnati, OH, Raymond Hilbert of Fishers, IN and Sarah Marino of Dighton, MA, as well as other family members residing in both Indiana and Massachusetts.

Beverley was a very athletic and dedicated figure skater. She participated in many competitions including Lake Placid, NY and Las Vegas, NV, where she won numerous awards for her skill, poise, and grace. She enjoyed the rigorous practice sessions with her coach, Celia Duffy. She was an avid reader and a lover of the arts-especially poetry. She also enjoyed the beaches of the Outer Banks, NC. Community service was very important to Beverley, especially the American Cancer Society, Meals on Wheels, and Empathy Magazine of the Middletown Psychiatric Center. Beverley was a kind and generous person who cared deeply about her family, friends, patients and students. She was respected, admired and loved by her many fiends and family members.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 27, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Ave., Middletown.

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 28, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Following cremation, burial will be held privately in Howells Cemetery in the Town of Mt. Hope.

Memorial contributions in Beverley's name may be to the American Cancer Society, Meals on Wheels, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Middletown or Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc.; www.applebee-mcphillips.com or 845-343-6309.