Obituary: Verla Rose Beekman of Ossining

From the Dorsey Funeral Home

Verla Rose Beekman of Ossining, NY, passed away on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. Verla was born in Beechtree, PA on September 20, 1942 and was the daughter of the late Homer D. and Lenora Rose (Haupt) Butterbaugh. She was 78.

Verla is survived by her husband John, her sister Myrtle Butterbaugh, her brother Melvyn Butterbaugh (Lynnette), four daughters, Suzanne Stark (Joshua), Lisabeth Ledesma, Lynn Peterson (Jeffrey), and Jennifer Beekman; nine grandchildren Frank Robert Matos, Jesse Matos, Chelsea Matos, Greg Muller Jr., Christopher Muller, Stephanie Pinter, Latien Florent, Devihn Florent, and Shai Beekman; nine great-grandchildren Sierra Matos, Amelia Matos, Charlotte Matos, Julianna Morra, RJ Sanchez, Gwyneth Muller, Grady Muller, Avery Boulos Muller, Owen Boulos Muller and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sister Marjorie Sanzo, her brother Vaughn Butterbaugh, and her son Israel Efrain (Frank) Matos.

Verla’s life’s work – her pride and joy - was her children and her grandchildren. As a homemaker, mother and grandmother, she was strong, capable and tireless, and even through her physical disabilities she always strived to provide a better life for her family. Though she couldn’t provide us with material things or lots of money, she gave us something far more important - she gave us each other. She showed us through her actions that no matter what challenges we face in life, the answer is - be gentle and kind even when you don’t feel like you have a reason to be, have faith even when things seem hopeless, never give up, never stop trying, and always look for the good in every person and in any situation.

She loved her friends and enjoyed their times together at the “Senior Center” where she honed her table pool skills and developed many lasting friendships. Our family would like to give a special thanks to the Ossining Recreation Department staff for providing the social outlet for her to flourish in her later years.

Verla’s character and temperament can best be shown from the time she was diagnosed with stage four cancer until her passing into Heaven. She was ever calm and serene in her faith, she never complained, and she carried herself with grace and dignity until the moment God called her home. She loved and lived with every moment she was given - neither hard times nor cancer would rob her of who she was.

As she held us all in her tender heart, she will live in a special place in all our hearts forever, as an extraordinarily loving mother, grandmother, and friend.

Verla requested an intimate burial. For those who have known her in her fruitful journey with us, her graveside service will be held Saturday July 31 at 1:45 pm, Kensico Cemetery 273 Lakeview Ave, Valhalla, NY 10595. Memorial donations may be sent to her favorite charity, boystown.org.