Beverly Germack
1941 - 2016

OLEAN - Beverly Ann Theresa Germack, formerly of Homer Hill, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Monday (Sept. 19, 2016) at The Pines Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Olean, after battling acute leukemia.

Born on May 2, 1941, in Olean, she was the daughter of the late Casimir Kaiser Germack and Sophia Sylvia Ruby.

Beverly attended kindergarten to grade six at School No. 8, the present location of the New York State Police on Homer Street; grade seven at School No. 2, the present location of Olean Class Cars on West State Street; grade eight at School No. 7, the present location of New Life Christian School on North Union Street; and grades nine through 12 at Olean High School on West Sullivan Street, where she graduated in June 1959. She briefly attended SUNY Geneseo before transferring to St. Bonaventure University and St. Elizabeth's Academy.

After working and attending college for 12 years, she was very proud to receive her bachelor's degree in elementary education, cum laude, in 1971. Continuing to work and attend St. Bonaventure University, she received her master's degree in advanced teaching in 1974.

Her teaching career spanned 37 years. She taught at St. John's Catholic School in Olean, Eldred (Pa.) Elementary School and Hinsdale Central School before retiring in June 1999.

She was a member of the former St. Francis Guild and the Olean Area Garden Club, both coming to a close in 1991. In recent years, she was active in the HomeCare & Hospice Guild, Pulaski Club Ladies Auxiliary, Hinsdale Central School Retirees, Jolly Dollies Red Hat Group, Southwestern York-Penn Doll Club and Olean Senior League Secret Pals.

She loved flower gardening and reading Civil War stories. She had a love of cats and especially cherished her three cats, Jennie, Lexi and Alex. When she was able, Beverly enjoyed her daily walk of 3 miles on the Allegheny River Trail or in the Olean Center Mall. She was quite a nature and outdoor enthusiast.

Culture was important to her. She frequently attended Sunday concerts at the Chautauqua Institution and belonged to Friends of Good Music. She loved to travel abroad and visited England, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Monaco and Canada. She also traveled to many states in the United States, and in her younger years she enjoyed a stay aboard the Queen Mary.

Beverly was a very devoted Catholic. Her dedication was once recognized through an award granted to her by the Diocese of Buffalo. She was a member of the Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church until it closed, at which time she joined Saint Bonaventure Church in Allegany. For many years she also volunteered in the kitchen at the St. Mary's Byzantine Church Summer Festival.

She was preceded in death by her father, Kaiser, in 1980; her mother, Sophia, in 2001; and her brother, Bob (Ernie), in 2007.

Beverly is survived by special cousins, Jeanette Mostacato of Allegany, Mary Ann Suchora of Olean, Sue Mikolajaczyk of Olean and Bernie Anderson of Allegany; special friends, Tony Jurenko and Virginia Sgro of Olean; and many other cousins and friends.

Friends and family will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Guenther Funeral Home Inc., 1303 E.State St., Olean. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday (Sept. 23, 2016) at 9:30 a.m. in St. Bonaventure Church in Allegany with the Rev. James Vacco, OFM, pastor, as celebrant. Donations may be made to the Cattaraugus County SPCA, P.O. Box 375, Olean, NY 14760; HomeCare & Hospice, 1225 W. State St., Olean, NY 14760; or a charity of the donor's choice.