On September 29, 2023, Beatrice (Bea) Brach McCormick, passed away peacefully at home in Raleigh, NC, being lovingly comforted by family and hospice services. She was born in Buffalo and lived in the Buffalo area for 80 years and in the Raleigh area for the last 19 years. Her sisters and brother: Helen Anetsberger, William Brock, and Alice Ippolito, all preceded her in death. Her beloved husband, John McCormick, preceded her in death over 50 years ago and their union was blessed with four children: (the late) Kathleen (Thomas) Luther, John (Irene) McCormick of Vancouver, WA, Barbara (Robert) Ammerman of Cheektowaga, NY, and Joan (Peter) Tepfer of Raleigh, NC. She had six grandchildren to whom she was “Gram”: David (Carol) McCormick, Michelle (Aaron) Ammerman, Jason Luther, (the late) Kristen Luther, Lori (Angie) Ammerman, and Aidan Tepfer. Her legacy also lives on with six great-grandchildren who lovingly called her “GG”: Andrew, Annamai, Jonathan, Christian, Jackson, and Drew. She will be lovingly remembered and has been reunited in death with many other family members and beloved friends who spanned the many phases of her long, active life of service to others.

She graduated from St. Mary’s Business School and worked in an office briefly. Beatrice was extremely proud of her service as a young woman during World War II in the US Coast Guard SPARS and would never miss an opportunity to tell her stories of life in NYC as a SPAR to all who would listen. Throughout the decades of her life as a dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker, she was always involved in activities surrounding her children, family members, and her church. As a young widow, she was a Nanny for a few families throughout the Buffalo area, worked at a Senior Center that provided meals, and later volunteered with Amherst Meals on Wheels and Amherst Senior Center. She remained very active into her 80’s and 90’s and volunteered at the Garner Senior Center and Meals on Wheels of Wake County in the Raleigh area.

A Celebration of Life service and reception to honor her is being planned for a later date when family members and close friends can gather together in the Buffalo area.

Given her many years of voluntary services with Meals on Wheels and her desire to express her love and caring by always feeding family, friends, and the community, donations can be made in her honor to Amherst Meals on Wheels (Buffalo area) or Meals on Wheels of Wake County (Raleigh area).