Beverly Ann Ullrich

1928 - 2011

Beverly Ann Ullrich began her journey in life as a sweet, innocent child and completed her journey full circle as a sweet, innocent child, the result of Alzheimer's disease.
She was born in Kenosha, Wisc., graduated from the local high school and journeyed to Colorado Women's College, graduated from Texas Tech and earned a master's degree from the University of North Dakota and post graduate work at the University of Denver. Her majors were vocal performance and art. Her professional accomplishments are recorded in "The World Who's Who of Women," 3rd Edition and the "International Who's Who in Music," 8th Edition.
She taught music in elementary and junior high school, developed a music therapy program for troubled students in those school programs in Colorado, and directed choirs and entertainment choral groups in U.S. Air Force chapels and civilian churches and was a highly requested soloist and performer. Her professional journey took her on to Barksdale, AFB, La., Grand Forks AFB, N.D., Lowry AFB, Colo., Little Rock AFB, Ark., Randolph AFB, Texas, Norton AFB, Calif., Yokota AFB, Japan, Offutt AFB, Neb., and finally to the Community Church of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. In addition, she was a talented artist, earned a private pilot's license, taught Yoga and enjoyed playing tennis. The list of all she was is extensive but who she was transcended her accomplishments. In her diary she wrote, "I am a child of God, I am a singer, teacher and musician. I am a Christian. I am a wife and mother."
Her only son was killed in an automobile accident and she is survived by her daughter, Lorena McCartney; and her stepchildren, Donald and wife Cynthia, Jonathan and wife Sally, Elsi Beth and husband John Sullivan, Reginald and wife Karen; and her husband Donald W. Ullrich. Lorena, Jonathan and her husband shared her final days beside her at home in Sandestin.
No one is perfect, but she came closer to the ideal than anyone, her family and friends will attest. She was all God intended her to be. She touched the lives of many through music and song, by care and compassion, in loyalty and faithfulness and left this life to continue singing and living to the glory of God. Her journey in this life has come to an end but a new journey has begun. In her diary she wrote these words: "Who am I? Who are you? What do I love? What do you love? How shall I live knowing I will die? How will you live knowing you will die?" Beverly had and lived the right answers to the questions and desires the same for us.
Her family offers their thanks to Dr. Yvette Novak who cared for her many years and to Dr. Dao and the medical staff of Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, and to Emerald Coast Hospice for their care in her final days. A special thanks to Tami Inman and Stella Szydlowski for their daily and loving care throughout Beverly's Alzheimer's disease progression over the years. The concern and care of neighbors and friends and from the church has been greatly appreciated.
Those who may desire to contribute to a Memorial Fund may do so at the Santa Rosa Beach Community Church (850-267-2599). A celebration of her life is scheduled at the church on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 3 p.m.