She was born in Caborn, Indiana on July 7, 1923 to Lawrence and Maggie Miller. In 1945, Bea married the love of her life, Gerald Hammerstein. The honeymoon continued for fifty-five adventured filled years.
Almost being a centenarian Bea experienced many historical events such as the Great Depression, World War II, the Space Race, Vietnam and so much more. Being born in 1923 the times were different than today. She started work in a cigar factory, at what we would consider a very young age. Later, she worked in a jewelry store and then at a stadium where she met entertainers of the era such as Louie Armstrong. Having an infectious personality and a zest for life she would share many stories of growing up with her six siblings and her life during World War II. Once Gerald got back from the Pacific Front, they quickly married and “Beatsy and Bo” became the inseparable dynamic duo and sired five children.
Bea volunteered with various organizations. such as the American Heart Association, local animal shelters, and was always actively involved within her churches and her children’s schools. After Gerald moved up in the executive ranks of the USPS, Bea became a devoted housewife. Some of her favorite times were being a Brownie troop leader, aiding the girls in their quest for badges and later an election poll judge for over fifteen years. She loved hearing her neighbors say, “here comes the judge”. Of course, anyone who knows Bea will always remember her love of playing cards, daily Yahtzee games, and enjoyment at the casino. She was a force of nature up until the end.
She was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Maggie, her husband Gerald “Bo” on August 31, 2000, her six siblings: Bud, Thelma, Mildred, Leona, Marie and Rita, her daughter Patricia K. Dykstra on January 15, 2017 who gallantly fought a battle with Multiple Symptoms Atrophy, a three-year-old grandson, Jake Everett Barberio who had a heart defect, and a granddaughter, Cynthia L. Veryser who succumbed to brain cancer.
Survivors are four of her children: Stephen B. Hammerstein of Houston, Texas, Nancy A. Pawlecki of Findlay, Ohio, Nina D. Hammerstein of San Antonio,Texas, Tracy L. Barberio of Spring Branch, Texas.; seven grandchildren Jerod M. Hammerstein, Angela R. Bullington, Jeff J. Pawlecki, Cheryl A. Lee, Jeremy A. Dykstra, Jason M. Dykstra, Justin Z. Barberio and Tyler H. Barberio; as well as nineteen great grandchildren.
Bea was the love and light of her family and will be greatly missed. A graveside funeral will be held at Holy Cross cemetery on Monday, February 13, 2023. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital at stjude.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialuniversal.com for the Hammerstein family.
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