NORWICH – Miss Lulu E. “Lu” Beers, 92, formerly of Ford Avenue in Oneonta and a well known teacher there, passed away on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 in Norwich.
Born in Oneonta on June 23, 1915, Lu was the fourth child of Derrick H. and Clara (Munson) Beers. She was an eighty-seven year resident of Oneonta and graduated from Oneonta High School with the class of 1932. She then earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Oneonta Normal School in 1935. She later received her Masters degree from Syracuse University. Lu taught for twelve years in the Davenport and Charlotte Valley Schools and the next twenty-eight years at the Riverside Elementary School in Oneonta. During her forty year career, she taught at all levels of elementary education. Miss Beers was a favorite of the many students she had the privilege to teach.
In her younger years, Lu traveled extensively with her best friend, Isabel McManus. They visited many European Countries and most of the states in this country. She would never forget her students, always bringing a small present for each of them.
She was very active in many organizations including the Rebekah Lodge for over fifty years, Leader of the Girl Scouts, President of the Teachers’ Union for Oneonta Schools and a member of the Civil Service Commission. Lulu’s true love was baseball and she was a loyal Yankee fan. Since 1964 she has held box seats at Damaske Field. Many a night she would take players to Brooks Barbecue for dinner. In her lifetime she saw many players go through the Oneonta organization. Lu also kept busy playing piano and organ for many local churches. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Oneonta for over seventy-five years. A true tribute to Lu was the loyalty and wonderful care she gave her mother, who died at the age of ninety-three.
Lulu is survived by her nieces and nephews, Timothy C. Brown and his wife, Betsy, of Norwich, Sylvia Adam and her husband, Randy, of Marietta, GA, Clara Cox and her husband, Victor, of St. Paul, MN, Louanna Watt and her husband, David, of Seattle, WA, James Brown and his wife, Helen, of Chatham, MA, Mary Alice Thompson of CA, Stephen Crumley and his wife, Linda, of NM, Wendy Benoit of CA, Bruce Silliman and his wife, Micheko, of UT, Sidney Silliman and his wife, Rachel, of CA and David Silliman and his wife, Saundra, of NYC. Many great nieces and great nephews also survive. Lu was predeceased by her parents, a brother, Charles and sisters, Helen, Alice and Edith as well as two nieces, Carolyn and Nancy.
At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours. A private memorial service will be held.
Contributions in memory of Lulu may be made to the First United Presbyterian Church, 381 Main St., Oneonta, NY 13820.
The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home of Norwich. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.