Beryl Boetcker

Beryl Joyce Boetcker, age 95, of Edinboro, PA passed away on February 9, 2021. Beryl was born in Sible Hedingham, Essex, England on April 11, 1925, the daughter of the late Rose and Frederick Craven .

Beryl attended Halstead Grammar School for Girls in Halstead, Essex, England. After grammar school, she pursued further education while attending the Royal College of Music in London, where she studied voice and piano. From a very young age, music filled her life. Beryl was a very accomplished Mezzo Soprano.

In 1945, Beryl married the late Robert E. Nagle who served during World War II with the 381st Bomber Group stationed at Ridgewell Aerodrome, Essex, England. She eventually sailed for New York as a GI bride with her newborn son aboard the USNS Henry Gibbins. The family settled in Erie, PA in the autumn of 1946. Over the next few years she gave birth to four daughters. While raising her young family, Beryl became actively involved in Girl Scouts and was Summer Camp Director at Hawthorne Ridge for several years before returning to England to live with her 5 children. There she continued her education and subsequently received a teaching degree and taught Primary School in Halstead, Essex. She returned to the USA in 1971 and settled in Edinboro, PA. Within a few years, Beryl married the late Graham E. Randall, also from England. She was employed by Penn Lakes Girl Scout Council for many years, and eventually retired as Assistant Executive Director in 1990. Soon after her retirement, she was hired by GSUSA as an Interim Executive Director, working out of their New York office for 15 years. The position required her to travel on assignment to many different GS Councils across the United States to oversee operations during their transition, while the Council searched for a new Executive Director. During her last assignment in Poughkeepsie, NY, Beryl reconnected with William A. Boetcker, a very dear friend she first met in England in 1945 when he served with the US Army Corps during World War II. They were married in the Marble Collegiate Church, New York City. William's good friend, the late Dr. Arthur Caliandro, officiated. Beryl finally retired and she and William settled very happily in Edinboro, PA.

Singing was her lifelong interest and she pursued this through singing engagements with various church choirs and music groups, both in England and the USA. She was a member of the Tuesday Morning Music Club in Erie for many years.

Beryl will be sadly missed by her family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, William A. Boetcker; her two daughters, Susanne R. Turteltaub (Jay) and Frances L. McCarthy (Mac); and step-son, William A. Boetcker, Jr. She is survived by her son, Robert C. Nagle (Julie), of East Leake, Nottinghamshire, England; her daughters, Helen M. Manross (the late David), of Cherry Grove, PA and Mari Harrison (Mark), of McKean, PA; an “adapted” daughter, Jean A. Donohue (Ralph), of Woodbine, NJ; step- daughters Ruth E. Boetcker (Peter Krayer), of NY and Frances B. Kanz (Doug), of TX. There are also many grandchildren, many more great-grandchildren, and several great- great-grandchildren who reside in the USA, England, Scotland and The Netherlands; as well as a nephew, James A. Hopper, of Erie, PA, and her much loved cat, “Alice-the-Great”.

The family would like to thank Wesbury United Methodist Community for their excellent care and Kindred Hospice.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

The Glunt Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Edinboro, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Memorials may be made in Beryl's honor to the charity of one's choice. To send condolences, please visit www.gluntfuneralhome.com.