Beverly Ann O'Shea

Beverly Ann (Katz) O'Shea, 82 years, passed away on August 7, 2025, surrounded by family at home in Norfolk, VA. Beverly was born on February 21, 1943, and raised in Marshall, Michigan. After graduating high school, she attended Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek before joining the US Navy, where she worked as a CorpsWave at the Naval Hospital in Newport, RI. Bev met her future husband, Mike O'Shea, when he was a patient on her floor. They married in Marshall, MI, on August 28, 1965. Bev travelled the world with her military husband and their family and enjoyed each duty station from coast to coast, but especially embraced her time living in Nea Makri, Greece. Throughout her life, Beverly's commitment to her family was unwavering. She navigated the challenges of raising four children while studying nursing at the College of Santa Fe, and as her husband served in the US Navy. She always made the exceptionally hard look easy, powered by love, intelligence, and an unshakable will.

Bev's life taught her family the value of creativity, dedicated work, and compassion. An exceptionally skilled seamstress, she also mastered crochet, cooking, furniture restoration, and so much more, always using her talents to provide value and support to her family and community. She hand-stitched her wedding dress from silk material brought back from Vietnam by Mike during his service, a piece now on permanent display at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum – something that she was immensely proud of. Bev also designed wedding gowns for those she loved and answered the call to make masks for hospitals during the COID-19 pandemic. Beverly's resourcefulness knew no bounds, often creating beautiful, functional works out of necessity and love. She embraced each challenge with a fierce determination and an open heart, always driven by the deep compassion she felt for those around her.

Bev worked for NIS while living in Nea Makri, Greece and in Norfolk, VA before switching careers and moving into the Norfolk Public School System. Bev especially enjoyed her time as the "Cafeteria Lady" around various Norfolk schools, where she lovingly served her students each day, a testament to her selflessness and devotion to others. Bev adopted many children as honorary grandchildren, always eager to make a positive difference in the lives of those around her.

As a lifetime member of the VFW Post 3160 Auxiliary in Norfolk, Bev advocated for Veterans' rights and worked to support local programs, including Toys for Tots and created holiday food baskets for the homeless. Beverly was also a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. With unshakable grit and unmatched grace, she lived a life that will forever inspire those who were fortunate to know and love her.

Bev is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Mike O'Shea and her four children: Colleen (Rob) Dahlquist of Polson, MT, Caroline (Sean) Corr of Portsmouth, RI, Gregory (Jenny) O'Shea of Middletown, RI, and Patrick (Vania) O'Shea of Virginia Beach, VA. along with ten grandchildren: Brittany (Collin) Riley, Emily (Brendon) Saling, Alida (Amit) Corr, Ian Corr, Joshua Corr, Seamus Corr, Keaton O'Shea, Alex O'Shea, Finn O'Shea, and Verity O'Shea, and two great grandchildren: Oliver Saling, and Parker Riley. Bev was the oldest of eight children and is survived by several brothers and sisters: Barbara (Bob) Carlson of Salem, SC, Brenda (Jim) Montroy of Bellevue, MI, Bernadette (Don) Davis of Greenwood, SC, Bruce (Teresa) Katz of Milford, MI and Brent Christopher Katz of Milford, MI. She is also survived by two aunts: Phebe Munn of Battlecreek, MI and Jeanette Groth of Battle Creek, MI. She is predeceased by her parents, Bernard and Betty Katz of Battle Creek, MI and two brothers Brian Katz and Barry Katz.

Bev's family invites all who wish to attend a memorial service in her honor at the VFW Post 3160 on August 20, 2025 at 6:00pm. Her interment will occur at the Albert G. Horton Jr. State Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA with full military honors on September 30, 2025 at 1:00pm.

We would like to thank her doctors, the palliative and hospice care teams, and the many friends and family members near and far for their help and support. In lieu of flowers, Bev's family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.