Beverly Joan "B.J." Hartley

Beverly Joan Hartley, 86, of Leesburg, FL, died peacefully on May 27, 2024 in Westfield, MA. Born in Batavia, New York, on January 7, 1938, to Hilton B. Steele and Mildred Steele (née Bessinger) and affectionately called "B.J." at home, Bev and her younger sister Jerilyn were raised on frequent picnic outings to nearby waterfalls, lakes, and gardens, often at the impulse of their talented artist-mother and warm-humored father "Bud." Bev's parents instilled in her a love for gardening, education, and travel. When Bev graduated from high school, including study abroad in Belgium, she went on to Syracuse University where she earned her bachelor's and a master's degree in education. There she caught the eye of Allan C. Hartley, a Tufts University-trained civil engineer who was pursuing his master's degree at Syracuse. The two were engaged one Christmas Eve and married in 1962, spending their honeymoon year as school teachers at the Subic Bay naval base in Olongapo, Philippines. After their return to Boston, Bev gave birth to their first child, Lauran, and while teaching preschool in Doylestown, PA, to daughter Alane. Upon Al's acceptance to a doctoral program, the family moved to Iowa City where they lived in married student housing at the University of Iowa. Bev and Al became active in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement of the 1970s, forging important friendships. They welcomed the birth of David in Iowa, and the births of Stephen and Susan after their move to Green Bay, WI. Even while raising a large family, Bev deepened her faith and ministry in the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, where she and Al were active facilitators in a local prayer group and led Life in the Spirit seminars. After Al's retirement and with an emptied nest, the two moved to Leesburg, FL and began to travel internationally again. Bev reveled in the learning opportunities offered at their retirement communities and initiated programming in alternative health, bible study, and gardening. As a resident of Lake Port Square for seven years, Bev deeply cherished the friendships she found there alongside the life-long connections formed during her spiritual journey. She was also fond of butterflies, birds, flora, cats and chocolate. Bev is two years preceded in death by her husband Allan, and survived by her beloved sister Jerilyn Steele; nephew Chris Frey, and her five children Lauran Ruth Hartley (Pema Bhum); Alane Louise Hartley (Russell Braen); David Allan Hartley; Stephen Paul Hartley (Jillian); and Susan Elizabeth Hartley Brown (Graham). She was also a proud grandmother to Yumtsokyi Hartley Bhum; Mia Fairbanks Hartley; and Griffin Oliver Brown. A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Paul Catholic Church at 1330 Sunshine Avenue, in Leesburg, FL, on Thursday, July 11 at 8:20 am. Interment will follow at 2:00 pm at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Leesburg, Florida.

Beverly Joan "B.J." Hartley

January 7, 1938 - May 27, 2024