Beverly Sue Deiters was born on March 28, 1941, in Chicago, IL to Martha and Matthew Deiters.  She grew up in Chicago and moved to Florida in 1963.

In 1943 , around the age of two, Beverly experienced a severe brain injury. This resulted in a cognitive delay which permanently altered the trajectory of her family’s life. During a time when some children with cognitive disabilities were sent “away,” Beverly was cared for and attended to her entire life, first by a series of loving family members (her parents, then her sibling Barbara and brother-in-law, Edward), and finally the wonderful staff at ARC at the George Street group home in Tarpon Springs, FL, where she lived a happy, full life for many years. The staff there became her family in the truest meaning of the word. She died peacefully in her sleep with loving support from the Green Team at Suncoast Hospice.

Though Beverly developed atypically due to her childhood accident, she grew to be a funny, loving, woman who charmed those around her with her inquisitiveness; love of numbers, clocks and calendars; frequent re-telling of favorite stories; bowling skills; passion for ice cream, M&Ms, and McDonalds; and, sometimes, her stubbornness. She could be feisty at times, but she usually had a valid point or a twinkle in her eye as she argued to get her way. Beverly had incredibly bright eyes and a smile was always close at hand. Beverly had a gift for lifting the spirits of her caregivers as well as strangers by saying, “You’re beautiful,” “You’re handsome,” and “I love you.”  In fact, her final words to one of her long-time, much-beloved caretakers were, “I love you.”

Beverly’s family is forever grateful for the warmth, humor, patience, kindness and love expressed so generously by the staff at ARC on George Street: Mercedes, Lynn, Linda, Dache, Adriana, Georgia, Alexus, Margaret, Octavia, Jyya and Jessica.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Barbara.  She is survived by her brother-in-law Edward Slivovsky; three nephews William (Carol) Slivovsky, Thomas (Robin) Slivovsky and James (Katie) Slivovsky, all living in the Chicago area; three great nephews Matthew (Enya) Slivovsky, Chris (Ryan) Slivovsky, Eric (Claire) Slivovsky; and one great niece, Leah Slivovsky.