Beverly Ness Parke

Beverly attended De Vilbiss High School, graduating in 1969. She pursued undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, received her Master’s in Education at the University of Toledo, and her Doctorate in Gifted Education at Ohio State University, graduating in 1980. She married her husband of 42 years, Christopher, in 1979.

Beverly was a fierce advocate for youth and early childhood education. During her professional career she was an elementary third grade teacher, a consultant for programs for the Gifted & Talented for Lucas County Schools (Toledo, OH), Graduate Research Associate in the Department of Special Education (OSU), Research Associate, Assistant, Tenured Associate Professor in the Special Education Department Wayne State University (Detroit, MI), Supervisor for Programs for the Gifted & Talented (Bryan, OH), and Assistant, Tenured Associate Professor in the School of Education at Indiana/Purdue University-Fort Wayne, retiring in 2008.

Beverly wrote two books during her professional career – Gifted Students in Regular Classrooms (1989) and Discovering Programs for Talent Development (2003). In addition, she authored over 100 articles and book chapters for professional publications, was the member of many councils and boards, and was an editor for several professional journal publications. She received numerous awards and in 2010 was recognized with a Distinguished Achievement Award by the College of Education Alumni at The University of Toledo.

In addition to all her professional accomplishments, her most rewarding role was that of Mother to her two daughters. She also supported her husband unselfishly through his career that included an assignment in the United Kingdom. She loved to travel, introduced her children to art, music, theater, the importance of Michigan Football, and organized adventures including a family summer RV trip, which included the family dog. Her love for Clear Lake, Indiana resulted in acquiring her family’s cottage, and creating NFO (Ness Family Olympics) - an annual tradition.

She is survived by her husband, Christopher; daughters Carlyn Parke (Ft Wayne), and Janna (Curt) Bromm (Whitestown, IN); sisters, Carole Suzanne (Jack) Klein (Oxford, MI), Kathryn (John) Daschner (Mt Juliet, TN); and sister-in-law, Phyllis (Bud) Ness (Royal Oak, MI). She is preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Joyce Ness; and brother, Howard (Bud) L. Ness, Jr.

A Celebration of Life service to honor Beverly's memory will be conducted at 11:00am on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at D.O. McComb and Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, with gathering beginning at 10:00am, one hour prior to the service. Private internment will take place at Clear Lake Lutheran Cemetery where she will be laid to rest.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Beverly N. Parke Scholarship Fund at Purdue University Fort Wayne, through the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, Purdue University Fort Wayne, 2101 East Coliseum Boulevard, Fort Wayne, IN 46805 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for Beverly's family may be shared at www.McCombandSons.com

You may also join the family virtually for the celebration of life by by clicking the link below. The livestream will begin at 10:50 am EST and the celebration will start at 11 am EST.

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1651954211182785