Photo courtesy of Freay Funeral Home - Mayville
Mayville, New York
Beverly Stannarius Kress, 86, entered eternal rest July 23rd 2025 after a very brief illness.
Born August 6th, 1938 in her maternal grandmother's Perkinsville, NY home, Bev grew up in Wayland, NY. She was a communicant of St. Joseph's RC Church, now Holy Family, where she and her sister, Barbara, played the organ for daily and Sunday masses.
Upon graduation from high school, she attended Nazareth University in Rochester, NY, earning her bachelor's and master's degrees in music education. A well-loved teacher and colleague, Bev taught music in Erie and Niagara County elementary schools for over three decades.
In 1963 she married Edgar Kress who predeceased her in 2015. She has shared her time as a retiree between her Chautauqua Lake home in Mayville, NY, and the scenic mountains and desert of Benson, AZ.
Beverly was an ardent vocalist, musician, and lover of the arts, active in several Catholic churches in Western New York and Arizona. She has been a generous benefactor to numerous charities. Bev's largesse was in equal measure with her generosity of spirit, time, and love of family and friends. She made a positive difference in this world.
She is survived by her only sibling, Barbara Davis of Hornell, NY, numerous nieces and nephews, and cherished friends. Bev was also preceded in death by her mother, Rita McLaughlin Roy (2001), her father, Adair Stannarius(1966), and many dear in-laws and cousins.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at St Mary's in Mayville at 11AM on Friday, August 22, 2025.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com
Read MoreI will miss Beverly. My first grade children would always looked forward to their Music Class with Mrs. Kress. Her calm demeanor and gentle way touched each student at a very formative time. God bless you Bev. You are sorely missed.
Marlene Krakowiak
August 21, 2025 | Work
I was Beverly's next door neighbor for 35 years on Galloway, Rd. in Mayville, N.Y. We attended operas together at Chautauqua Institution for many years, and she was always an active member of our parish church, St. Mary's in Mayville, and played the organ weekly until a few years ago. She was part of our neighborhood lunch group until recent years when she had more difficulty getting around.
She was always kind, soft-spoken and friendly. She will be missed by all of us Galloway...
Diane Clemens
August 19, 2025 | Cleveland, OH | Friend
She was a dear family member who loved me since I was born. I am better for having her in my life.
HELEN KRESS
August 05, 2025 | NIAGARA FALLS, NY
Our time together, shorter than other colleagues in the East Aurora UFD, still was very sweet. Bev would help with advice in handling student situations, in music classes. Her last office at the Main Street school was right next to my area. We always had time to share a laugh together. It was wonderful to see Bev at the last East Aurora Retired Faculty Breakfast. God bless you and your family. Sorry to say goodbye!
Judy Westley/Wieserner
August 04, 2025 | Town Of Aurora, NY | Coworker
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
DM
August 02, 2025 | Other
I taught music with Bev at the elementary schools in East Aurora. She was the best colleague and friend! Over the years, we both moved on, but always kept in contact! Whether it was visits at Chautauqua or lunches in Hamburg, it was like we never missed a beat! So many great memories! You are already missed, Bev. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.
Pam (Fishback) Christie
August 02, 2025 | Tonawanda, NY | Coworker
I knew Bev from St Mary's church years ago. She was very pleasant. A genuinely nice person. Prayers for her family.
Francine Lloyd
August 01, 2025 | Ft Myers, FL | Acquaintance
You will be remembered for your involvement in your church.
STEPHANIE SCHELL
August 01, 2025 | Lakewood, NY
Had a passion for music and was very active and involved with her church.
STEPHANIE SCHELL
August 01, 2025 | Lakewood, NY