Beverly McNeilly

1952 - 2014

Beverly Ann McNeilly died March 21, 2014 at the age 62 after a diligent four-year battle with cervical cancer. Born in Indiana and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, she attended Macalester College and earned a B.A. in Social Science; she earned an M.A. in Urban Education from Cal State Los Angeles. Bev taught young children for 37 years working in Minnesota, Singapore, Paraguay, California (Los Angeles, Vallejo and Alturas) and Frederick, Maryland. Her mother, Hester, sister Jo Ellen, brother Vance and his wife Cheryl, and nephews Juan, Andres, and Jose and their families survive her. Beverly was married to Peter Currer for 26 years and leaves behind their cherished daughter Sarah. She touched the lives of over a thousand children and their families with her fierce dedication to student success. Her goal was always to inspire greatness and a love of learning in each of her students. She took special joy in working with English language learners and students with extra needs. When in Singapore she had the opportunity of assisting in the countries' first dual language immersion kindergarten program. In the last years of her teaching career she took great pleasure in mentoring two colleagues in their successful quest for National Teacher Certification. Her last day in the classroom was for the Valentine's Day party this year. Bev was an adventurer and world traveler who relished experiencing different languages and cultures. After college she took a bicycle trip around the world. She met her future husband cycling down highway 1 on the California coast. Together over the years they cycled Canada to Mexico on the west coast, from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean, extensively in France and were cycling from Canada to Florida when the recurrence of cancer interrupted their trip at the Outer Banks in North Carolina. She was a fiercely independent soul and defended the rights of women and minorities all her life. Bev was born on March 3, 1952; her father Vance died when she was just 11 years old. Beverly attended the first graduating class of Concord High School and enjoyed the special responsibilities of establishing school traditions for future classes. She remained close to several of her high school friends. A life-long Episcopalian, Bev's Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul's Parish, Point of Rocks, Maryland on Saturday March 29 at 10:30 a.m. Gifts in memory of Beverly McNeilly can be made to Hillcrest School or the Judy Center, 1285 Hillcrest Dr., Frederick, MD 21703 or Macalester College, Donor Relations Office, 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55105, or online at macalester.edu. In the comments box, please write "In Memory of Beverly McNeilly".