Beverly A. Morrison

Morrison, Beverly Ann -
Mrs. Beverly A. Morrison (née Cady), beloved wife of the late Ronald F. Morrison, twin sister of Barbara Nortz (née Cady), marvelous mother, most excellent grandma, great grandma extraordinaire, chemist, holder of two Bachelor of Science degrees, retired Head of the Cardio-Pulmonary Department at Bon Secours Hospital in Grosse Pointe, MI, and friend to nearly every person who had the good fortune to cross paths with her, has died and left this world a better place than she found it.
Born Beverly Ann Cady on January 13th, 1929, to Walter and Irene Cady, Beverly got an early start at being a kind and accommodating person after sharing space with her twin sister in their mother's womb. Barb and Bev remained loving sisters and best friends for the rest of their long lives, a stellar example of what it takes to form and nurture a lifelong bond. In fact, Bev used to say, "we have never had a fight."
Bev and Barb, along with their four additional siblings, managed to survive, have fun, and even thrive, despite growing up during the Great Depression.
In college at the University of Detroit, Beverly found love in chemistry class with her seatmate Ron Morrison. The two were married in 1951 and by the next year, their first of six children, Lynn Marie, arrived.
When their Livonia home could no longer hold six kids, the family moved to a big Tudor house on Rutland Street in Detroit, closer to grandparents and family. The move provided plenty of opportunities to mingle with neighbors, explore backyards, and build life-long relationships. There were many summer excursions to Cleveland, Long Island, and Point Pelee to visit aunts, uncles, cousins, and expand horizons that most kids could only dream of: sailing on the ocean, digging for clams, catching fireflies, and celebrating life with really good food.
Ron was a diabetic, and when his health went out of balance in the early 70s, Beverly had the wakeup call of her life. Facing the prospect of having to support the family on her own, she took the bold step of returning to college to pursue a new career and become an early pioneer in the field of respiratory therapy. She landed at Bon Secours Hospital, impressed her bosses, and took over the Cardio-Pulmonary Department during her last 19 years there.
Aside from Ron and their six children, some of the other great loves in Beverly's 95 years of life were her strong Catholic faith, the great city of Detroit, sports (whatever was on TV when she sat down to watch, but especially Detroit Tiger baseball), and plates of steaming mussels, accompanied by a good Bloody Mary or a dry Rob Roy at one of her favorite local haunts.
Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ron, brother Mark and sister-in-law Lee Cady, twin sister Barbara and brother-in-law William Nortz, brother-in-law Donald Cooper, sister Patricia Evens and brother-in-law Paul Evens, brother Paul Cady, daughter Celeste Johnson and granddaughter Annie Sullivan.
Beverly is survived by her sister Joan Cooper, sister-in-law Carol Cady, daughter Lynn Stein, son Paul Morrison, son Bruce Morrison and daughter-in-law Carolyn Morrison, daughter Patrice McNealy and son-in-law Barry McNealy, daughter Sheila Oliver and son-in-law William Oliver, 16 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren (and 1 on the way ;-).
She also leaves behind a legion of adoring nieces and nephews and a beloved community of friends. Her Sigma Delta sorority sisters, all scientists themselves, were especially important to her. The family wishes to express an extra-appreciative thanks to the staff (family, really) at Sunrise of Troy and the superbly professional staff of Brighton Hospice. Thank you for befriending Beverly and keeping her safe.
Family will receive friends Friday, February 16th, 2-7pm, Rosary at 6pm, at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home (Vasu, Rodgers and Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, MI.
Funeral Mass Saturday, February 17th, 10am, at St. Hugo of the Hills - Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke, Bloomfield Hills, MI. Visiting at church begins at 9:30am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Beverly's name may be made to University of Detroit/Mercy. When making a donation online, please choose Designation to College of Engineering and Science, and Tribute Gift- In Memory of: Beverly Morrison.