Beverly Ann Daffner

Beverly Daffner, 77 of Coram, New York, passed away on July 20, 2022. She faced her illness with courage and bravery throughout

Beverly was born in Schenectady, New York and in her youth was regularly seen helping in the Mt. Pleasant Bakery, owned and operated by her mother Lillian Daffner. Beverly attended Linton High School, graduated SUNY Oneonta, attended New York University and University of Vermont, before joining the faculty in the Smithtown School District as a 3rd grade teacher at Mt Pleasant Elementary School. She then taught 6th, then 5th grade and went on to teach at the middle school, staying in the same district for 34 years

She was a monumental figure in her students’ lives. Former student tributes to Beverly have spoken of her enduring influence and love, care and guidance, and how much darker this world might be without her influence and love in their lives. So many have been inspired in their life choices by her magic in and out of the classroom. She was unusually generous in the way she would give away her own treasures, even her own money without blinking or asking anything in return. She would give up on her own comfort for people she knew and didn’t know. Her home, her door and her heart were always open. She supported many social and religious causes with great conviction and was a long-time member of Congregation Beth Israel in Schenectady

When she heard about someone in need or facing troubling circumstances, she was the first to appear at their doorstep with kind words and a roast turkey she had prepared. She was an enthusiastic gourmet cook and for many years operated a catering business. Her own catered parties and weekly card games were legend. And her love of theatre was cultivated at a very young age when her mother took her by bus from Schenectady to her first Broadway play. Hundreds of Broadway playbills graced the walls of Beverly’s iconic Lake Luzerne “camp”. Nestled among the pine trees in the Adirondacks, Beverly’s camp was her summer getaway where she lavishly entertained family, friends, students and newcomers from dawn to dusk almost daily. No one missed a July Fourth at camp.

She doted on her family of friends and relatives and her beloved dogs and cats she raised over the years, never forgot a special occasion and made a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. A great Rabbi once said that “the day you were born is the day God decided that the world could not exist without you.” She was on loan to those who knew and loved her and is now back in God’s loving embrace. May her memory be forever a blessing. 

Services at the Beth Israel Cemetery, Abbottsford Road, Rotterdam, NY on Sunday, July 24, 2022 at 11:30am. Memorial contribution may be made to the Beth Israel Synagogue, 2195 Eastern Parkway, Schenectady, NY 12309, Alzheimers Foundation, ASPCA or any other charitable organization of your choice.

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