Beverly Ellen Kress, 70, of Cape Coral, Florida, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua, New Hampshire.
Born in Evergreen Park, Illinois, Beverly was the beloved daughter of the late Frank Kress and Sylvia (Albrecht) Kress. She was raised with a Catholic education and graduated from Mother McAuley High School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.
Beverly dedicated more than 30 years of her life to serving the Chicago Park District as a Physical Education Instructor. She was a proud supervisor within the department and a strong supporter of the Special Olympics, a cause close to her heart. She loved bringing the joy of her work home with her and was known for sharing fun crafts and creative projects from the Park with her nieces and nephews—activities they eagerly looked forward to and loved. Even after retirement, her enthusiasm for sports and encouragement of young people continued as she taught, coached, and cheered on her great-nieces and great-nephews in local leagues.
She retired in 2012 and spent her time with family between Florida, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Beverly loved to cook and was especially known for her potato salad, which she delighted in sharing—along with her recipes—with friends and family.
Beverly maintained many lifelong friendships and was known for her infectious laugh and good humor. She often joked about being “lucky,” whether playing KENO or scratch tickets. She was happiest playing card games, Scrabble (which she fully intended to win), and spending time with those she loved. A devoted sports fan, Beverly was a longtime Chicago White Sox season ticket holder and a passionate supporter of the Chicago Bears.
Her family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the ICU team at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center for their compassionate and exceptional care.
Beverly is survived by her sisters, Lynne Shattuck of Dracut, Massachusetts, and Dr. Beth Kress and her husband, Joseph Tierney, of Londonderry, New Hampshire. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Matt Kavanagh and his wife Sally of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Patricia Adams Gouthro and her husband Michael of Dracut, Massachusetts; Dyanne Nota and her husband Greg of Dracut, Massachusetts; Marcia Shattuck of Lowell, Massachusetts; Erin Coleman and her husband Dan of Chelmsford, Massachusetts; Thomas Tierney and his wife Jasmine of Andover, Massachusetts; Danny Tierney and his wife McAuley of Westlake Village, California; Patrick Tierney of Washington, D.C.; and Emily Tierney of Hudson, Massachusetts; along with several great-nieces and great-nephews—whom she famously bribed with Dum-Dum lollipops. She was predeceased by her sister, Dr. Charlene Kavanagh.
FUNERAL NOTICE
Funeral Saturday January 17th at 9am at St. Mary Church 25 North Rd. Chelmsford MA 01824. Donations may be made in her name to Special Olympics and support.specialolympics.org ARRANGEMENTS BY MORSE-BAYLISS FUNERAL HOME 978-458-6841. Guestbook at www.morsebaylissfuneralhome.com
24 responses to “Beverly Ellen Kress”
My daughter and I are devastated to hear of Bevs’ passing. She was great to my parents who lived a few units down and always delighted them with her potatoe salad. She was kind and caring towards my daughter and always offered me great conversations. We will miss her dearly. Sending all my love to her family and friends during this emotional time. R.I.P Bev 💕 💞 ♥️ 💜
Such a great person that always made me laugh. A basketball teammate at Mcauley who drove me and my cousin to high school. A volunteer for YME Softball for many years. I will miss you Bev. My condolences to her family. RIP.
I am so very saddened to hear of Bev’s passing. I spent years working park district events with her and many others.please accept my sincere condolences.
So very said about the loss of my friend. We shared many fun time at the park and enjoyed catching up every couple weeks . I will miss our conversations.
Her laughter was infectious.
May God hold her in the palm of his hands.
I am so sad to hear of Bev’s passing, we literally were texting and playing words last week (Bev usually won!).
I was neighbors with Bev on Artesian 25 years ago and we still kept in touch.
May Bev rest in peace! ❤️
So very sad to hear of the passing of my former co-worker and friend. We worked at the Chicago Park District together for many years. She was great with sports and serving the community. I loved her old school toughness with a kind heart. She had a nack for cooking certain good foods. We enjoyed cracking little jokes with each other. We went golfing once an she had so much patience while I hit up all the grass and all I could do was laugh. I will miss our once in a while conversations. Rest well my friend 🙏🏽🥎
Lynne and Family, I am so very sorry to learn of Beth’s passing. May the memories you shared, along with the love and support of those around you bring you comfort. With Sincere Sympathy,
I sat next to Bev in area meetings at the Chicago Park District when John Freely was our boss. We had many of conversations. Bev was a tough cookie. But that was Bev! She did the cooking for all those pumpkin patches for Area 1 all those years. Bev was a very dedicated Park District worker! May she rest in peace!
Sending Blessings . I remember Bev at Hayes Park when I was growing up.
She was a strong willed lady who put the kids first .
I worked with Bev for many years and she was always so supportive. We had a running joke for years , Bev I need a favor. She would give me a look and say WHAT. Then no matter what she would handle it Pumpkin patches , Area events , Christmas parties. No matter the event Bev was front and center.she would purchase food for our special events and be on the grill for sometime 5 or 6 hours .cooking for hundreds of participants and employees. She was a great friend and a credit to the Chicago Park District. She will be missed.
My condolences go out to the Kress family. I had the pleasurer of working with Bev at the Chicago Park District for many years, you could not find a happier person like Bev while she was working and outside of work. Her smile and love for people were a gift given to her by God.
I am saddened by her loss, and I know God is already assigning her to work with the young souls that are in heaven. May her soul and the souls of the departed rest in peace. I will miss her laugher, smile, and sense of humor.
I’m so sorry to hear about Bev’s passing. We worked at Chicago Park District together. We both volunteered for the Special Olympics which was dear to her heart. Bev had a great sense of humor and heart of gold however she was tough and had a no non- sense approach. She was dedicated to her park kids and the Chicago Park District for over 30 years. Rest in Peace Bev…….You will be missed.
I would like to send my condolences to her entire family. She was such a wonderful person. I worked with Bev in the Chicago park district for many many years!’ I am so sad to hear of her passing. Bev was a giver and that laugh was contagious. She always was the first to volunteer to help all. I remember chatting with her about her sisters, mom and dad and I remember when the triplets were born. She was a proud and loving Aunt and friend to all. God bless Bev and may the angels lead her to the throne.🙏
Kathy and everyone thank you for the kind words and memories. This one hit me hard because Beverly was here with us in Massachusetts and involved with her great nieces and nephews sporting events. She spent time teaching them some basketball moves. She would volunteer to pick them up and drive them wherever they needed to go. She even made me a game for my classroom -show me the candy that my students love to play! She will be missed.
I just found out of my friend Bev’s passing. My deepest condolences to her whole family. I worked with Bev for longer than I can remember.. We started as instructors together. Bev was the perfect example of the Chicago Park District spirit. Work hard and then play hard. Even on the toughest assignments, if you were around Bev, the tough days became fun days. Her quick wit, smile and laugh could start a party in a phone booth. I don’t believe I have a Bev Kress story that didn’t end with all of us laughing. She was one of the most dependable people you could ever hope to work with. For those of us who knew her, not only will she never be forgotten, but she’ll be remembered with a smile and a laugh. It was a joy to know her.
I met Bev on the first day she started with the Park District. She was a great friend and an asset not only to the park district but the communities that she worked in. I will miss you good friend!
Our condolences go out to all of Bevs family, may she Rest In Peace. 🙏 Jeff and Jean Graves. Worth Il.
Beverly was a joyful person who made many friends where ever she was. She was skilled at cooking and very lucky at gambling. She was beloved by her sisters and others around her. She is now in the afterlife being shepherded around by her big sister, Charlene. She is not alone in that Frank, Silvia and Charlene have welcomed her to her new home.
Bev, it’s with sadness I say that I’ll miss you but I’ll think of you often. You had such wit and incredible sense of humor. Always called it like it was , never any pretenses. If life is measured by friends , you certainly won! RIP
Dear Kress family, I am so very sorry and heartbroken over Bev’s passing. I feel so lucky to have known her as my boss and a friend. There are so many stories from our days at Hayes Park that we would tell over and over again. Her storytelling was the best! Life at Hayes Park was full of hijinks and with Bev’s competitive spirit, she was always out to win and she usually did. She was an incredible friend and mentor and I will always be grateful for her kindness and laughter. May God hold her in the palm of His hand. Sorry Bev, I had to add something Irish, just so I can think of you rolling your eyes at me, haha.
Love Bob early as my sister kitty Loomis called her, been friends 4 years more than I can remember Friends w my whole family she will b missed
Sending my condolences to the family. Bev and I shared so many laughs over the years. Such a big heart and always willing to help others. You’ll be missed by so many.
So sorry to hear about Bev passing. It was a shock to me. My condolences to the family. Bev and I had some good laughs!
Beverly took me to her senior prom at McAuley in 1973 and dancing with her and her Walter’s and Mac friends was an early peek at mosh pits. What a great memory!
Running into Bev was always great craic because she was so naturally funny and observant, whether poking fun at the Chicago Park District, the chaos at Palos Country Club or Harte’s Saloon where her Friday Night Fish Fry was Beverly’s launch of the weekend. Didn’t get a seat? Bev would solve it with a plate of her delicious offerings. What a gal!
Bev’s gone but the image and memory of her smile and sound of her laugh will hang in the air every time her friends gather.