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The Most Amazing Librarian, A Family Matriarch, Sadly Missed, Never Forgotten

Biography

Jean V. Beukema, age 96 of the Town of Niagara, formerly of Wilson, died unexpectedly on Friday August 30, 2013 at her son's residence.

Jean was born August 20, 1917 in the Town of Shelby, NY, the daughter of the late Edward and Florence (Sybrant) Van Brocklin. She held a Master's Degree in Library Science and for 20 years was the Chief Research Librarian for the Niagara Library System. On October 25, 1941 she married Leslie V. Beukema in the Universalist Church in Middleport and they moved to Wilson in 1945. Leslie predeceased her on February 27, 2002.

Jean was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Wilson and enjoyed traveling.

She is survived by two sons, John (Sandra) Beukema of the Town of Niagara and Thomas (Christine) Beukema of Newark, DE; her grandchildren, Kimberly, Mary, Elizabeth, Theresa, and Patrick; and 10 great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 7, at 1:00 PM in St. John's Episcopal Church, 431 Lake St., Wilson with the Rev. Judith Lee officiating. There will be no prior visitation. Flowers are gratefully declined. Arrangements have been entrusted to HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Streets, Lewiston. 


In honor of my Grandmother Jean V. Beukema, my son's favorite YouTube Video, appropriately made by the New York State Reading Association:



 
Category: 2 comments

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

If her spirit was accurately conveyed by your YouTube honorarium, the world is a little poorer today.

Today I can't wait for school to end so I can show it to my son. Thank you for sharing.

Elizabeth Scheinberg said...

Kavips, Jean was an amazing woman. What struck me as ironic was that my seven year old came home from school and wanted to show me this video. he found it quickly on Youtube. His librarian has shared it with him because she benefits from our family's deep appreciation of library arts. The irony was the video was created by an organization that Grandma Jean supported for as long as I can remember.

And yes, the world is a little poorer today, less sweet and less gentle. But, we are richer for having had Jean in our lives for as long as we did, for having known her passion words, and for having developed that great appreciation for reading from her and others like her.

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