Beverly White Siedlecki, 88, died Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility in Lowville.

Beverly was born October 25, 1928 in New Bremen, the daughter of the late Harry and Irene (Coyer) White.

She graduated from Carthage High School in 1945 and attended Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA for two years and then obtained her Bachelor's degree from the University of Toledo in Ohio.  Bev was dedicated to pursuing higher education and attended graduate school on weekends and evenings to obtain a Master's degree in Education from the State University of New York at Potsdam.  She also completed coursework toward a Doctorate of Education from University of Toledo.

On April 3, 1948, she married the love of her life, Stanley (Stosh) Siedlecki, in a ceremony at Black River, NY.  Together they had and raised four children, Steve, Bill, Neysa, and Paul (Beaner).  Stosh encouraged Bev to complete her degree and while doing so she lived in Toledo with three of her children and Stosh lived in Carthage with one child. During this time her sister-in-law Sue Staab was a great help to the family.

Bev was a lifelong teacher.  She began her career in 1956 at the Squash Hole School, a one room school house on the Carthage-Naumburg Road.  She eventually moved to Carthage Elementary and taught 4 ^th , 5 ^th , and 6 ^th graders, before becoming a founding teacher at the Carthage Middle School.  At Carthage Middle School, Bev taught English and was a track and field coach.  Bev continued educating children as a substitute teacher until she turned 80.

In 1982, Bev and Stosh moved to Bradenton, Florida where they enjoyed golfing and the beach.  Their time together in retirement was short, as Stosh died suddenly in February 1983.  Bev remained in Florida for many years, working at the world renowned Bollettieri Tennis Academy and using that experience to become a successful competitive tennis player in multiple Bradenton area leagues.

Bev was an adventurer.  A gift from her daughter Neysa sparked her love of travel and Bev went on to visit thirty-eight countries on six continents.  She was proud to have played in tennis tournaments in China, Turkey, and Australia.  Bev participated in Little Theatre productions, always seeking the most flamboyant roles, was an accomplished Toastmaster, and regularly strutted in the Mummer's Day Parades.  Even into her 70s Bev took risks and lived life to the fullest, going Whitewater rafting, BASE jumping off a mountain in New Zealand, and riding a Segway through Austin, TX.  She was an avid golfer and bowler, enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles, watching sporting events, cheering on her children and grandchildren, and playing cards, kickball, and other games with her family.  She remained active in her community as a member of the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries and the Carthage Area Hospital Auxiliary.

She is survived by her daughter Neysa of Hinton, WV, two sons and their wives, Bill and his wife Teri Siedlecki of Sarasota, FL and Paul and his wife Cathy Siedlecki of West Carthage, NY and her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Joe and Amali Siedlecki (Gracie and Jake) of Austin, TX, Kelly and Chris Kowalczyk (Annika and Ivy) of Carthage, NY, Karen Siedlecki-Burgoon and Adam Burgoon (Gwendolyn and Griffin) of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, Stosh Siedlecki (Sophia and William Ryder), and Danielle and Austin Ross of Florida.

She was predeceased by her husband, Stosh, her son, Stephen J. Siedlecki and her two brothers, Jack and William White.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 21 at Fairview Cemetery in Carthage with Deacon Richard Staab officiating.  There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are with the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home, Carthage. Memorial donations can be made to Carthage Area Rescue Squad or to the Meadowbrook Terrace Activity Fund.

To leave a condolence, go to www.bezanillafh.com .