Beverly Bitner

Beverly Anne Johnson Bitner of Fort Lauderdale passed away peacefully on August 31 due to complications from pneumonia. She was 95.

She was born July 15, 1928 in Norwood, Mass., the first child of Claes Evan Johnson and Clara (Claire) Emma Kyle. She grew up in Newton, Mass., and graduated in 1946 from Newton High School, where her popularity was enhanced by her natural blonde hair, courtesy of her Swedish ancestors.

She was devoted to her family, including her sisters, Dorothy and Anne, and her brother, Peter, and to their children, as well as to her stepmother, Jean Aubry Johnson, who married Evan following the death of Beverly's mother. Her many nieces and nephews called her "Aunt Shug," a term of endearment short for "Sugar" that she often used to greet them.

Beverly earned a degree from what is now Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H. Always independent, she became a post-war career girl and joined Capital Airlines in 1948 to work in its corporate offices at National Airport in Washington, D.C.

It was at Capital that she met her future husband, John Ensign Bitner, a World War II Army Air Corps veteran. He was a co-pilot for Capital and later became a pilot for United Airlines. They were married in 1952 and lived in Arlington, Va., and Pittsburgh, Pa., before moving to Fort Lauderdale in 1959.

They spent many years living in Melrose Park, where they raised three children, Gary, Jeffrey and Judy. Beverly was a stay-at-home Mom and devoted to her family. She became an active community volunteer as editor of the Rooster News of Melrose Park for many years. She also enjoyed socializing with dozens of friends at the nearby Plaza Club. Beverly and John remained married until his passing in 2005.

During the 1980s, she worked as a bookkeeper at her son Gary's public relations firm. In later years, she served as Secretary of the Board of Directors of Embassy Towers One, her high-rise Fort Lauderdale home, where she enjoyed a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and developed many lasting friendships.

Her direct descendants include her three children and seven grandchildren, whom she adored: Jennifer, Christina, Evan and Logan, plus Connor, Colton and Dylan. She was thrilled to welcome her first great grandchild, Chloe Anne, who was born in March of this year. Arrangements are pending.