Beverly Ann Bixby, 89, was born on August 6, 1935. She passed away silently, but comforted, on December 16, 2024. She celebrated her life with family, pets, music, and knitting. Her musical performances and knitting projects gained great admiration. She is pre-deceased by her husband of over 60 years, Rev. Charles H. Bixby.

Beverly played the flute and piccolo as a young woman and learned to play the dulcimer in later years, but her passion was piano and organ. She found ways to perform every day, whether at school rehearsals, choir practice, community theaters, church services, or weddings. She was known for her ability to ad-lib and vamp as necessary for school musicals, student solo accompanying, and choral performances. Beverly was sought out for her expertise with knitting, having created hundreds of sweaters and other knitted projects for herself, her family, as well as customers over her entire life. She was never far from a ball of yarn and her latest creations. She explored the gamut of what could be knitted and what could be incorporated into the project. She was always seen combining her talents by playing the organ in various churches while wearing elaborate knitted creations from sweaters to scarves. Beverly enjoyed many hours hiking in the woods at Tinker Park and feeding chickadees from her hand. She traveled long distances biking the hills of Henrietta touring the canals from Rochester out to Fairport. Beverly loved her assortment of pets, including parakeets (that she trained to speak), rabbits, cats, and even a tarantula and a parrot.

Beverly is survived by her brother, Larry (Ernetta), as well as her four children, Brenda, Amy, Bryce (Jennifer), and Drew (Melissa) and four grandchildren, Rachel, Graham, Leo, and Kendall.

The family would like to express their thanks to all the skilled nursing level care staff at The Green House, St John's Community, whose compassionate life guidance welcomed Beverly the last years of her life.

Square Dance Memories:
Although Barbara was not a square dancer herself, she had a daughter, Brenda, who is an accomplished dancer in our square dance community. Most everyone knows Brenda and we want to extend to Brenda our sympathy on the death of her mother. Several dancers may remember Brenda’s maternal grandparents, Myron and Peg Huss, Caller and Cuer of the Triggers for more than 25 years.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Beverly's family would appreciate donations to help stroke research: American Stroke Foundation

The Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Fairport United Methodist Church at 2:00pm with a reception immediately following. The address is 31 West Church Street, Fairport, NY 14450. Livestream Link (for those who cannot attend in person): To be provided approximately one week prior to the event. Reception (not Livestreamed) immediately following, same location. Parking: Parking is limited at the church, but is allowed on side streets (watch which side of the street to park), or a large parking lot, a three-minute walk from the church. Parking Lot, Potter Pl, Fairport, NY 14450, Potter Place

For more information, please go to Beverly Bixby.

Submitted by Anne Granger

Rochester: Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Predeceased by her husband, Walter and her son, Stephen. Survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Paul Kermis; daughter-in-law, Kathleen; her granddaughter, Rebecca; great granddaughter, Harleigh; great-great grandchildren, Aubree and Brantley; many loving family and friends. Her Entombment in Riverside was held privately.

If you would like to leave a condolence at Vay-Schleich & Meeson, e-mail www.meesonfamily.com.

Square Dance Details:
There is so much to share about Sally (and Walt) from the square-dancing world. It is hard to know where to start! They were both truly instrumental in square dancing. According to Peter Emmel and his exemplary research, Sally and Walt started square dancing in 1973 and quickly became active in square dancing leadership not only on the local level, but also on the state and national levels. They played active leadership roles in several area clubs, as well as the Rochester Area Federation of Round and Square Dance Clubs, Inc (RAF). serving in many leadership capacities, including president. They were on the Board for the Empire State Festival, they were members of Legacy and members of United Square Dancers of America (USDA), where they held a number of roles including vice-presidents for the Eastern Region. Locally, they were recipients of the RAF's Daphne-Norma Leadership Award (1994) and also the Circle of Service Award (1987). They also designed the current logo that is on the Daphne-Norma Leadership Award badge.

One of Sally’s most cherished memories was when they were chosen at the Seattle National Convention in June of 1981 to ride on the square dance float in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California on New Years Day, 1982. When I visited her last April, she showed me many pictures of that day and you could still hear the excitement and joy in her voice. As she said… “our trip to California to be in the Rose Parade was like a dream come true.”

The 50th National Square Dance Convention was held in Anaheim, California in 2001 where 13,000 dancers attended from all over the world. At this convention, there is a showcase of ideas and each state had the opportunity to have a table to promote their area. For 10 years, Walt and Sally set up a New York State table.

As I said to Sally last April (2024): “The square dancing world thanks you and Walt for all you have done for square dancing. Your enthusiasm, energy, dedication and love of square dancing have shaped much of what we do today. Thank you, Sally.”

From Eileen Webster:
“Sally often came to the DOR to participate in the Daphne-Norma Award presentation. It was near and dear to her heart.”

From Peter Emmel:
“Sally was a permanent, non-voting member of the Daphne-Norma Award committee whose insight and long-term perspective always proved very helpful.” She was an adviser for many, many years.

Accompanying photos:
1) Sally Baechle at Dance-O-Rama 2022.
2) Sally Baechle presenting the Daphne-Norma Leadership Award to Peter and Sally Emmel at DOR 2015.
3) Walt and Sally Baechle on the Square Dancing float at the 1982 Rose Parade.
4) Prayer for Beginning Square Dancers, submitted by Sally Baechle to the Promenader and reprinted in 2017 in the USDA Newsletter.

Submitted by Anne Granger

Lititz, PA: Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Predeceased by his wife, Edith. Survived by his daughter, Bonnie (John) McClun of Lititz, PA; two grandchildren, Thomas (Colleen) Kulzer of Doylestown, PA, Susan Kulzer of Eugene, OR; five great-grand children, Claire and Elliot Kulzer, Timothy MacKenzie and Jacob Essin.

William, as his mother always called him, grew up on a small family farm in Swain, NY. He was the 7th of 9 children of George and Laura Thomas. He tended the cows and pigs. He even dug the well for the house by hand. Maybe that was the beginning of his love of dirt.

Bill was an active businessman, friend to many, and devoted member of the Country Twirlers. He exemplified the definition of a work-aholic. His early career was as a mason contractor. He would point out a chimney, or house he had made when out driving. But, he loved his machinery, driving his dump trucks, changing the oil, digging holes and hauling dirt. Just spend 15 minutes with him and you heard at least 2 “dirt&rduo; stories. He worked at least 50 - 60 hours a week most of his life. He was still doing what he loved through most of his eighties.

When not working he and his wife, Edith were active members of the Country Twirlers, square dance club. If the club planned a trip they were the first to sign up. Bill loved showing off his dance moves and the fancy hand embroidered shirts his wife and daughter made him over the years. He was very proud of the accomplishments of his daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed sharing stories of them.

Family and friends visited at the Leo Bean and Sons Funeral Home, Saturday January 18th 11am–1pm, Funeral Service at 1pm in the funeral home. Interment, Grove Place Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to The American Diabetes Association, 160 Allens Creek Rd., Rochester 14618.

Square Dance Memories:
From the Promenader April/May 2002: The Circle of Service Award is given to DANCERS ONLY who for three years or more have made significant contribution to the Square and Round Dance Community. On February 23, the Country Twirlers Square Dance Club awarded this award to Bill and Edith Thomas. Over the years, both Bill and Edith were Federation Reps, Membership Chairmen, Social Chairmen, Secretary and Publicity Chairmen (which included Promenader Reporter…writing news articles and submitting schedules for each issue), took charge of creating flyers, DOR Committee Planning Reps, and did absolutely anything to assist. When Edith passed away, Bill attended the Cloverleaf Square Dance Club.

From Ken and Kay Georger, Past Presidents of Country Twirlers:
“Bill and Edith encouraged members to volunteer for refreshments, make assignments and very often filled in for someone who had signed up and at the last minute couldn’t make the dance. But that’s not all! They were always on hand early to help whenever we have any decorating to do. They never had to be asked to do anything. They know what needs to be done and they just do it.”

Submitted by Anne Granger

Passed away on, January 14, 2025 at the age of 90.

Predeceased by her sons, Robert, Richard and Kenneth Timmons; parents, George and Annabelle Berry; sisters, Florence and Katherine. She is survived by her children, Thomas (Tracey) Timmons, Shirley Timmons, Michael Timmons; grandchildren, great-grandchildren; sister, Arline (Larry) Gerdes; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family received friends Friday, January 24th 11AM–1PM at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 2636 Ridgeway Avenue. Shirley’s funeral service followed. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to American Cancer Society in Shirley's memory.

Square Dance Memories:
Shirley loved to square dance. She was a member of Silver Squares, served on the Board and was Treasurer for many years.

Submitted by Anne Granger