- Date Of Birth: March 16, 1926
- Date Of Death: January 29, 2017
- State: Florida
Our beloved mother, Beverly Lynn Lake, went to heaven to be reunited with her husband, son, parents, siblings, and friends, whom no doubt welcomed her with open arms. She left this planet on Sunday January 29 while at her home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mom would have celebrated her ninety-first birthday on March 16. Until recently, this quintessential New York lady insisted on living an independent life alone in her own home. It wasn’t always easy, but it was so important to her to maintain her independence as long as possible. With a minor heart condition and a bit shaky on her feet, Mom was blessed to have her full mental faculties.
Born to Esther and Benjamin Leventhal, Beverly was the youngest of three children. She idolized her Brother Aaron and Sister Sylvia. They were a close Orthodox Jewish family residing-where else? In Brooklyn, New York! The family was part of the 1920s thru the mid 1950s garment district where “Pop” had several fur and dress salons. Eventually Aunt Sylvia had a lovely dress shop of her own. Mom worked in her father’s store learning the business that was her birthright.
After moving to Tallahassee in 1980, Beverly was on the sales staff at Rheinauers where she dressed her many customers including Governors wives and prominent Tallahassee citizens. She was an expert in her field and gave honest and true assessments of what was right for her ladies. And they loved her for it! Even in her later years, she still dressed to the nines in her colorful style with her makeup, coiffed hair, nails done, and fashionable accessories. Mom loved color, especially her signature orange.
With her deep love of music and a flair for the dramatic, Mom dreamed of a career as a jazz singer. She had a wonderful voice reminiscent of Peggy Lee and Edie Gorme. She was not shy and it wouldn’t take much prodding to get her to sing. All of her children and grand children have memories of being sung to by her Beverly loved her family so very much and was an important presence in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great granddaughter. Really, Mom loved all children and they loved her.
A twenty-year veteran school mentor, Mom specialized in coaching the hard case kids; the ones who fell through the cracks. She was so very proud when they achieved honor roll and graduated from high school. Many former students have praised “Miss Lake’s” ability to turn around a young and struggling student by believing in them and fostering confidence. She is held in highest esteem by the faculty, students, and parents at Park Lake Elementary in Lauderdale Lakes.
Our Mom is survived by her children Stephen Tessel (Phyllis), Michele Ackermann (John), Bonnie Greenblatt, and Craig Lake, and grandchildren Joey Ackermann (Mandie), Brandon Ackermann, Isabelle Lake and great-granddaughter, Philomena Ackermann. In 2002, Mom suffered the greatest blow of all, when our dear brother Allan died. Even in that terrible time, Mom reached out to others in need by giving them the gift of sight and life through the donation of her precious Allan’s eyes, and other organs. Six people wrote letters of gratitude and love and their lives were forever changed for the better.
