Rita Bradshaw-Beyers

RITA BRADSHAW-BEYERS; daughter of the late William and Lillian (nee Bradshaw) Beyers; sister of Joan Beyers (husband Peter Saunders) and Patricia Welle (husband David Welle); loving aunt of Colin Saunders, Elliot Saunders, Cristin Welle Hughes, Jonathan Welle, and Elissa Welle.

Rita was a tenured professor of English Literature and Film at Pace University for the past 55 years. She received her BA from Pace College in 1964, an MA from St John’s University and a second MA from Oxford University.

Teaching was Rita’s passion, her life-long mission. Through literature, she imparted to her students, not just knowledge, but how to think more critically and more deeply. She thought of her students as her children and she wanted each one to have a full and successful life. Over the years, Rita influenced the lives of thousands of students.

Rita embraced life, traveling extensively, including numerous transatlantic crossings on the Queen Elizabeth II, and summering for a number of years in Paris. Fashion, fine dining, and theater all captivated her. She loved to sing, tell a good story, and laugh.

Rita grew up in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York. She was the oldest of three girls. Due to the unexpected death of her father when she was nine, she was particularly devoted to her mother.

Rita enjoyed her nieces and nephews as only a loving aunt could, giving generously and with heart. She brought laughter to our family gatherings and enriched our lives. Rita enriched the lives of the many, many individuals who knew her, students, colleagues, and friends alike.

Rita battled cancer heroically for the past 5 years and died on April 29^th. She was 78 years old.

She will be deeply missed.

There will be a Private Burial at Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

If you would like to remember Rita, please go to www.pace.edu/waystogive. Whether you use a check or donate online, please designate that the donation is in memory of Rita and is for the Pace Scholarship Fund. Rita herself attended Pace on a much-needed full scholarship, so it would have special meaning for her.