Beverly Joan Lickey, 86, of Fort Wayne, passed away at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Heritage Park Health and Rehabilitation, Fort Wayne.

Born on September 9, 1937, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, she was the only child of the late Ray W. and Esther (Miller) Lickey.  Growing up in Washington Twp., Whitley County, she graduated from Washington Center School in 1955.  She earned a bachelor's degree in teaching at Manchester College and a Master's of Education from St Francis University in Fort Wayne.

Becoming an educator, she worked for the Fort Wayne Community School District at St. Joseph Central Elementary School, where she taught kindergarten for over 40 years.

She was a member of the National Education Association, was a past president of the Fort Wayne Education Association, and became a member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association.  Outside of Education, she served as a State President of the Business and Professional Women's Association and State President of Alpha Delta Kappa.  She was a former member of Messiah Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne.

Leaving an indelible impression on her students, many would greet her as adults, fondly remembering her as their kindergarten teacher.  At home, she enjoyed her cats through the years, with her Tabby named Missy being one of her favorites.

She is survived by her friend Pamela (Jim) Braid of Fort Wayne.

The funeral service is at 1 p.m. Saturday (June 1st) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  She will be buried beside her parents at the Eberhard Cemetery.  Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the service Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana or Humane of Fort Wayne.