She was born in Ft. Worth, Texas. BB was a descendant of Miles Standish (Mayflower) and Isaac Van Zandt, Ambassador when Texas was a Republic. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was proud of her father, LVZ Brown, and husband, Orville S. Beard, who served in the Army during WWII.
BB graduated from Rice University, worked as a research biologist in a lab for Dr. DeBakey, the pioneering heart surgeon, and went back to school earning a Masters degree in Sanitary Engineering (Va Tech) at 50. She is the daughter, wife and mother of engineers. She was well traveled, loved reading, bridge and gardening.
She is survived by her son, Gordon Van Zandt Beard, in Oklahoma (wife, Karen); daughter, Kelly Beard-Tittone, in Grandview (husband, Joe), three grandchildren: Spencer Beard, Miles Beard and Heather Tittone; and two dear friends, Sue Rose and Liz Ahloe.
She will be remembered for her perseverance, adaptability, intelligence, laughter, her listening, and her ability to make friends wherever she was.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held in the future at Christ Church Anglican on 91st & Nall in Overland Park, Kansas (www.christchurchkc.org). Donations can be sent there or to Powell Gardens.
