BEVERLY FLOE

FLOE, Beverly (Brooks) Of Bedford, died peacefully at home on January 1, 2018. She was born on May 5, 1923, in Montclair, NJ, the daughter of the late Edward Pennell Brooks and Carol Wright Brooks. Raised in Hinsdale, IL, she attended Abbott Academy and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna cum Laude from Swarthmore College in 1945.

Always an adventurous spirit, she set off alone around the world beginning in the late 1940s, working as a freelance journalist and making the most of her travels to pursue adventures, dispatching journalism and salt water crocodiles with equal efficiency. Returning to the US, she became an editor of the MIT Press, marrying Dr. Carl Floe, longtime MIT professor, in 1954.

She is survived by their two sons, Charles Floe of Dubai and Austria and his wife Sonja Floe-Campbell, and Jonathan Floe and his partner James Craft of Naples, Florida, and stepdaughter, Joan Holdgate of Nantucket. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Dr. Hilary Floe of London, UK; Dr. Christina Floe also of London, as well as Alexandra Floe, Nicholas Floe and Cameron Floe, who are pursuing their ongoing educations under their grandmother's proud and watchful eye and to whom she was entirely devoted. She was the sister of Carol Pihl and of Robert Brooks, both deceased.

A deeply rooted advocate of excellence in education, particularly for women, she was a founding member and lifelong supporter of the Abbott Academy Association, which she advocated at the time of Abbot's merger into Phillips Academy Andover. A broad passion for the arts led to support for many artists, in particular the renowned American sculptor, Bruce Beasley, but also very broad support of music, photography, even extending to the prehistoric caves at Lascaux, France. Fiercely independent-minded and intellectually curious until her final day, she will be deeply missed.

Arrangements will be made for a Memorial Service in late Spring, with announcement to follow. More info: shawsheenfuneralhome.com