Dorothy Anne Koerner Bevan
Dorothy Anne Koerner Bevan, 89 years young, peacefully passed on Dec. 27 at Joe Raso Hospice in New City due to complications from a stroke.
Bevan was born on Dec. 9, 1931, in Mount Vernon to William and Ilsa Koerner.
Dorothy graduated from Mount Vernon High School in December 1949 and from Hunter College in 1954 with a degree in elementary education. With her love of knowledge, she received her master’s in elementary education from Hunter College several years later.
While in college, Dorothy met the love of her life, Robert K. Bevan, an electrical and aerospace engineering student at Lafayette College. Robert took part in Lafayette’s Army ROTC program and gifted Dorothy his prized fraternity pin as a symbol of love in 1953. Upon graduation, Robert was stationed in Tokyo. In early 1956, Dorothy traveled to see Robert in Japan where they married in a full military ceremony on July 21, 1956. Dorothy taught at the American School in Tokyo until they returned to the United States. In 1964, Dorothy and Robert moved to Pleasantville, which they called home since.
Though based in Pleasantville, their love of exploration carried them through endless adventures. Dorothy and Robert were avid skiers, sailors, scuba divers and world travelers. They would spend weeks to months at a time on their boats and exploring the world around them skiing, scuba diving and going on safaris. Dorothy and Robert even took their granddaughter’s school project, Flat Stanley, on their global travels to promote learning and adventure to her second-grade class. They continued their travels well into their 70s, and Dorothy skied until she was 80 years young. She took her final sail this past November.
Dorothy’s interests expanded beyond travel as she found joy in attending the theater, art galleries, museums and the opera. She was also passionately involved in Meals on Wheels as well as her church, Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, in Chappaqua for many years.
Family, however, was the most important aspect of Dorothy’s life. She cherished every moment she and Robert spent with their daughter, Gail, their son-in-law whom she considered a true son, Bob, and two granddaughters, Casey Lynn and Tyler Anne. Dorothy was so proud to be Casey and Tyler’s “Mumsy” and loved making apple pies with them, even though it always ended up with more flour on them than in the pie.
In Dorothy’s final days, Robert put his fraternity pin, now converted into a ring, back on her so they could be together even when apart. Dorothy will be always loved and deeply missed by her dear family both near and far. She was the life of the party and always knew how to have the best time. Her smile will live on.
A private family service and interment will take place at Plain Lawn Cemetery in Hicksville, N.Y. Messages of condolence may be left on the memorial page of Beecher Flooks Funeral Home in Pleasantville. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Dorothy’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org/give/memorials) or to Shriners Hospitals for Children at www.lovetotherescue.org/memorial-gifts.
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