Beverly Colclough George's Obituary
Beverly Colclough George, 76, died February 23, 2024, at her home in Gainesville
after a long illness. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1947. Her father, Theodore S. George, was from North Liberty, Pennsylvania, and her mother, Lucille Cairns George, was a 5th generation Gainesville native. Dr. George was Professor of Mathematics and of Electrical Engineering at the University of Florida, as well as a consultant to industry and the U.S. Department of Defense. Lucille George was an early female graduate of the University of Florida College of Law. Beverly's grandfather, George H. Cairns, was Gainesville's first City Engineer and first City Manager. She was named after her great-grandfather, Charles Axson Colclough, a prominent Gainesville civic and business leader whose planting interests were located at today's Colclough Hill neighborhood.
Beverly attended Gainesville High School, Vanderbilt University, and graduated in Philosophy from Agnes Scott College. After some years in New York City, she returned to the University of Florida for a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering. She was then employed by IBM Corporation in Raleigh, North Carolina, for 25 years as an engineer and as an Editor of technical documents.
Beverly was a swimmer, golfer, pianist, homemaker and gardener. Her home was always beautifully decorated at Christmas. She had a lifelong love of dogs, especially terriers, of which she had many. Bookish from an early age, Beverly was appreciated for her sharp intelligence, dry sense of humor and quick wit. Very clever with words and rather demanding about proper usage. All in all, a bracing presence. An infant daughter, Courtney Cairns George, came into her life at age 53 and became her pride and joy. Despite chronic illness, Beverly was a devoted and attentive mother for all her days.
She is survived by her daughter, by her sister, Courtney George Hyers of Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, and by her brother, Theodore Cairns George of Atlanta, Georgia. She had many fine caregivers and wished to make special mention of Joyce Seckinger, Nadia Cardenas, and Imelda De Leon.
On Monday, March 4, a private burial service for family will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, followed by an 11:00 AM Memorial Service at First Presbyterian Church, Iona Chapel. There will be a reception in Gordon Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church or The Thomas Center. Please visit her memorial page at: www.williamsthomasfuneralhome.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
WILLIAMS-THOMAS DOWNTOWN
352-376-7556
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