Beverly Bernice Souers, 87, a resident of Fishkill, NY for sixty one years, died Friday May 3, 2013 in her sleep at home after a full and wonderful life with her family and friends.

Born in Kingston, NY on February 1, 1926, she was the only child of the late Christopher and Caroline Bonesteel. On June 29, 1947, she married the love of her life, Robert C. Souers in Kingston.

Beverly grew up in Kingston, with many cousins, aunts and uncles. As a child, she studied and performed in dance and piano. At Kingston H.S. where she graduated, she played French horn in the orchestra and with the marching band. Bold for a young lady during WWII, by herself she took the train west to attend the University of Michigan. There, with the goal of teaching public school music, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Music, playing French horn in the university's renowned marching band, and continuing her training in classical piano.

Beverly married Robert, and took her first teaching position in Ludlow, NY near Ithaca where Robert was studying engineering at Cornell. She was offered a position to teach music classes, and direct both the high school band and orchestra, provided that she also teach the Spanish classes, which she accepted. The football coach asked her to give his players passing grades in Spanish. She required the players, twice her size and nearly her age, to stay after class with her until they learned and earned their grades.

In 1952, with two children, Beverly and Robert moved to Fishkill. When Robert decided to start his own business, with four children, Beverly went back to work as a music teacher in the Wappingers Central School District. There, until retirement, she taught music at several grade schools including Brinkerhoff, Sheafe Road and Oak Grove. She also taught private piano lessons.

Beverly and Robert were members of the Fishkill United Methodist Church where Beverly played piano and organ, and sang in the choir. Over her lifetime, she had many activities. Caring for her five children was her top priority, holding her children to a high bar in school and in the arts. A "music mom", she was constantly on the road taking kids to lessons, summer band, ballet, performances and art classes. In her free time, she took care of the house and yard with projects from house additions, vacation homes, refinishing furniture and gardens.

Beverly loved doing many activities with her family, including: attending original Broadway musicals in New York City like "My Fair Lady", "Oklahoma", "The Sound of Music", "Camelot", "The Pajama Game" and many more; making costumes for her children's ballet performances; hiking, camping and boating in the Catskills and Adirondacks; refinishing furniture and constructing crafts over many years.

Toward the end of her life, Beverly was afflicted with Alzheimers. In spite of this, she was able to live out her life in her own home, happy and content in her daily activities, supported by her family and friends, participating in every family event and holiday, and playing her piano from instinct or memory up until a few years ago.
Beverly will always be remembered and greatly missed by her children, David Souers and wife Linda of Rhinebeck, NY, Cherie Giddings and husband David of Readsboro, VT, Stephanie Dickerson and husband Chris of Hoschton, GA, Brian Souers and wife Denise of Lincoln, ME, and Kevin Souers and wife Cyndi of Fishkill, NY; her grandchildren, Aimee Follette, Bethany Souers, Joanna Souers, Sarah Coughlin, Rebecca Keppler, Cloelle Giddings, Wyatt Lord, Whitney Souers, and Breanne Souers; 3 great-grandchildren, Ava Keppler, Lilly and Ellie Lord; her second cousin Barbara Matthias of Staten Island to whom she was especially close; her sister-in-law, Joan Buddenhagen and husband Douglas of San Diego, CA, and sister-in-law Kay Souers of Kingston, NY, and nieces and nephews. Beverly was predeceased by her husband Robert, her parents, cousin Mildred Decker, brothers-in-law Arthur and Jay Souers, and nephew Allen Souers.

A celebration of Beverly's life will be held by the family for Beverly's family and friends on July 27th at the Fishkill United Methodist Church in the early afternoon at a time to be determined. Memorial donations may be made in Beverly's name to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001 or to a children's music program in your community.