Beatrice C. Levenhagen

Beatrice “Bea” Marie (Collins) Levenhagen age 86 of Elizabethtown Pennsylvania passed away September 11, 2024, after a sudden illness. Bea was born on September 22, 1937, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to Thomas F Collins II and his wife Marguerite (Robertson) Collins. Bea was the oldest sibling to her younger brother Thomas F. (Tommy) Collins III. Bea graduated from Linesville high school in 1954. Her entire life Bea was disciplined, intelligent, articulate and energetic. While still in her teens, she became the third woman to be certified as a lifeguard in the State of Pennsylvania. She served as a lifeguard and taught swimming lessons at Pymatuning lake in Linesville. Bea was a first-generation college graduate obtaining her degree in physical education from the College of Wooster and taught physical education at LCS High School in Linesville, PA. She loved physical fitness and practiced Yoga at a time when there were no studios, and you had to learn it from books.

Bea married the love of her life Tom Levenhagen on August 1, 1959, and they had three children- T. Fritz Levenhagen of St. Louis Missouri, Ginger Cleland of Santa Ynez, California and Leigh Meier of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

Bea was passionate about many aspects of her life which she loved to share with the multitude of friends and family, that were lucky enough to have known her. She loved her family and she was happiest when she was in the presence of her loved ones.

She frequently commented how blessed she was to have such a wonderful loving family.

Bea and Tom were renowned collectors of Amphora and built a remarkable collection of their own. Bea was instrumental in forming the ‘Amphora Collectors International’ and she managed all communications for the club for many years. In 2001 they hosted the club’s international convention at their home in Meadville, PA.

By no means could a remembrance such as this contain an adequately comprehensive view of the impact and love she put into this world, but some of her many titles may include loving mother, devoted and faithful wife, loving grandmother, aunt, cousin, sister-in-law, and great grandmother, artist, Amphora vase collector and antique collector.

She had an amazing gift for creativity and was always challenging herself to learn and develop new artistic skills. She became proficient in painting, basket weaving, pottery, hooking and felting- making handmade gifts for others which are treasured.

Bea absolutely loved the finest in hand crafted chocolates and

became the family chocolate connoisseur. Generous in all aspects of her life, the only exception was chocolate. She always had a stash hidden somewhere and disciplined herself to one chocolate per day as a “treat.”

In later years, she battled physical pain and limitations without complaint, demonstrating her unique strength, grace and fortitude.

She was an avid reader who loved historical fiction. You could often find her at the Elizabethtown Library where she managed volunteers for the bookstore.

Bea’s biggest commitment in life, however, was to her husband Tom who she loved and adored. They dated in the fifties; danced at sock hops and listened to Elvis Presley. Married in 1959, Tom and Bea are an example to all on how loving dedication to one’s spouse can enrich the lives of all around them. Their love for each other filled their home. They traveled throughout the world and frequently visited friends and family throughout the country. Bea was the guiding force in her family that kept everyone together and connected. She hosted family reunions, birthday parties and celebrations bringing family members together from across the country. Throughout their many adventures, Tom and Bea were dedicated to the full enjoyment of their lives together. They laughed, danced, explored, shopped and celebrated their time together in a way that only two people who dearly love each other can. Their relationship can be an example to all of us what it means to live, and to love; to find and never let go of that one person who will forever radiate a certain magic into your shared world that can only be explained as the result of soulmates who were lucky enough to find each other.

In December 2007 Bea wrote these words in a memorial to her late mother and they are equally applicable here:

“Her passing is cause for us to be thankful that her life was long and good and full of devotion to her family and friends. We cherish our memories of her. Those we love do leave us, but what they were can never leave. The strength of their presence, the warmth of their love- these are ours always, and become fused with our thoughts and blended with our lives forever more.”

Bea is survived by her beloved husband of 65 years Tom Levenhagen, their three children Fritz (Kim), Ginger (Jim), and Leigh (Tracy), her cousins Bob Griffing and Joyce Storll, her sisters-in-law Judy Mann and Barbara Collins Zurovchak. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Alex, Casey, Andrew, Albert, Eric and Sarah; her great grandchildren, Declan, Kaylee, Chase and Reese and her nieces Kim and Chelsy. She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas F. Collins II, and Marguerite (Robertson) Collins, and her brother Thomas F. Collins III.

A Celebration in honor of Bea’s Life will be held on Saturday September 21, 2024, from 3pm to 7pm for friends and family.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Elizabethtown Public Library 10 South Market Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 and are appreciated.