Uncrowned Community Builders

Beverly J. Webb was born in Buffalo, New York on December 30, 1937. She was the daughter of Ruby Godfrey and the late Alfred Godfrey. Her husband was Ronald L. Webb to whom she was married for more than 45 years. Beverly is the mother of three successful children: Donna Webb-Smith of North Tonawanda, New York; Ronald G. Webb, Eckrath, Germany and Toni Marie Webb, Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

She attended East High School, the University at Buffalo and the E.J. Meyer Hospital School of Nursing. During the 1950s, the only three year diploma school of nursing which accepted African Americans students was Edward J. Meyer Hospital (currently known as ECMC). During her senior year, Beverly was elected Senior Class President. This was the springboard to an illustrious Nursing career which spanned 42 years.

She held numerous positions including in Psychiatry and Operating Room facilities. While working at Edward J. Meyer Memorial Hospital, she was recruited by a local Skilled Nursing Facility and offered the position of In-service Coordinator. Staff Education and Orientation Training was a new requirement by the NYS Health Department for both hospitals and Nursing Homes during the late 60s and early 70s. "As I look back upon those early years, I realize that God's plan for my life began the day I said yes to this first professional challenge. It would prove to be a training ground for me as a public speaker, organizer, mentor, nurturer, and a professional role model to my staff."

As In-service Coordinator, at the Niagara Lutheran Home, currently known as the Niagara Lutheran Home and Rehab Center of Buffalo, Beverly established the first Long Term Care Comprehensive Nursing Assistant Orientation/Training Program. While serving in the above position, she was also given the task of developing an Infection Control Program. Undaunted by the dual role of In-service Coordinator and Infection Control Nurse, she developed a Surveillance Program which included tracking pneumococcal infections, establishing guidelines for staff, i.e., Nursing, Food Service and Housekeeping to decrease the incidence of patient infections. The Infection Control Program was used as a model by the Health Department.

Beverly co-founded the first Long Term Care Infection Control Nurses Group in Buffalo and served as President for six years. Additional achievements included an appointment to the Niagara University Board of Continuing Education and Guest Lecturer at the WNY Infection Control Symposium. She was also appointed Chairperson to the Symposium Board of Directors for Infection Control Officers of Western New York. Following 12 years as Infection Control Nurse and 15 years as In-service Coordinator, Beverly was promoted to Assistant Director of Nursing Service. She then served as Director until her first retirement in 1989.

Following a brief retirement, Beverly returned to her beloved nursing career, accepting a position as a Community Health Nurse for the Episcopal Church Home. Her second retirement was in 1991. It was special from the first retirement in that it was a forced retirement due to illness and she was unable to return to the field of nursing. A year later, she volunteered for Hospice and embarked on a new found career with volunteering. Without the forced retirement she might never have started on this journey.

Beverly was an active volunteer for The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care and was also a member of the Volunteer Speakers Bureau for the St. John Baptist Hospice House Project. As a volunteer she assisted the nursing staff with hands on care of patients and offered comfort care as necessary. Beverly was a member of the St. John Baptist Church where she served on the Hospice Education Committee. At the time of her death, she was also preparing as a Deaconess. Beverly was a former member of the Professional Business Women's Association; the New York State Nurses Association; District 1 Nursing Association and was also a member of the E.J. Meyer Hospital School of Nursing Alumni. Beverly also volunteered with I.C.A.R.E. (Inner City caregiver alliance for Resources and Education) and the Gilda House Breast Cancer Research Initiative.

Her hobbies were public speaking, and computer technology. She was also the recipient of the Nurse of Distinction Award, Episcopal Church Home, 1996.

Beverly's sudden death on August 9, 2010 saddened her family and many friends.