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Beverly Dame Esch, of Chautauqua, NY, passed away on December 30, 2023, in Erie, PA, at the age of 98.
She was born in Pittsburgh, PA, the daughter of Donald and Irene Dame. Growing up in Cleveland, OH, Beverly had a passion for music and pursued her love for singing by studying voice in Cleveland and New York City. She had the opportunity to showcase her talents as a lyric soprano and actress by performing with The Cleveland Playhouse, Cain Park, Chautauqua Opera Company, Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and as a member of the cast of the Broadway, film, and live television production of Menotti's The Medium.h
Growing up during The Great Depression as the daughter of a young widow, Cleveland benefactors ensured that Beverly never had to pay for a voice lesson. In return, Beverly spent much of her adult life giving back to young musicians as a founding member of the Chautauqua Opera Guild and through her years of work as Chair of the Chautauqua Women's Club Scholarship Committee.
In 1954, she married Robert J. Esch and they lived in Cleveland and Chautauqua. After the loss of her husband, Beverly spent over three decades living fiercely independently as a year-round resident of Chautauqua Institution. She was an avid reader who volunteered to record audio versions of many books and textbooks for the Cleveland Society for the Blind. She was able to enjoy reading until her final illness, thanks to three anonymous cornea donors. She strived to maintain a keen awareness about current events and politics through her reading. Beverly was known to frequently offer her sage advice to family and friends by reminding them to "Be good! But not too good!"
Beverly is survived by her loving daughter, Barbara Stolar, and her husband, John (Harborcreek, PA), as well as her granddaughter, Kimberly Stolar (Erie), and grandson, Eric Stolar (Meadville, PA).
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Donald Dame, as well as her sisters, Virginia Poelking Murray, and Barbara Carson.
Private services will be held for Beverly with a memorial planned for next summer in Chautauqua.
In memory of Beverly, contributions can be made to the Cole Eye Institute of the Cleveland Clinic, The Chautauqua Opera Guild, or the Chautauqua Volunteer Fire Department.
The family would also like to acknowledge those special caregivers who helped Beverly and her loved ones through this journey.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Dusckas-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Harborcreek.