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KATONAH, N.Y. - Elizabeth W. Beardsley, a former 50-year resident of Katonah, died Jan. 25 after a short illness at her home in Heritage Hills, Somers. She was 91.
Beardsley was the former director of the Katonah Village Library for 14 years as well as a volunteer with many organizations.
She was born in Minneapolis, Minn. to Percy Wash and Elizabeth Stacy Wash on May 6, 1920. In 1942, she graduated from Wellesley College and receive an MLS in library science from Long Island University in 1977.
From 1960 to 1968, Beardsley served on the Katonah-Lewisboro Board of Education and was director of the village library from 1974 to 1988. She also volunteered and held memberships to the League of Women Voters, Katonah Village Improvement Society, Wellesley in Westchester and Somers Library.
Her passion for the outdoors and conservation was fostered during childhood summers on the north shore of Lake Superior. When she got older, Beardsley led large family trips to Block Islands, the Canadian Rockies, the coast of Maine and the south of France. Her other passions included reading, playing bridge, politics, education and cooking.
She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, James Beardsley. She is survived by her sister Margaret Van Tassell, her daughters Ann and Mary, her sons James, Peter and John, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A private interment will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Road, Katonah, NY 10536.
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