Eastern Michigan University recently lost a former alumni
relations director, a former special education professor
and a current consultant in Human Resources.
George Beaudette, EMU's former director of alumni relations
from 1990-1996, died July 2. He was 67.
"It was such a pleasure to work for George," said
Vicki Reaume, EMU's director of alumni relations, who worked
for Beaudette one year before he retired. "He lit up a
room with his infectious laugh, big smile and enthusiasm
for EMU. He was so supportive and treated all of us like
family. He will be missed by all of us at EMU."
"George was almost bigger than life," said Roy Wilbanks,
a good friend and EMU regent. "He was as outgoing and effervescent
a man as I ever met. He was a great supporter of Ypsilanti."
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Beaudette |
Beaudette was an outstanding high school athlete, who
received an football scholarship to the University of Wyoming.
He finished his athletic career (football and golf) at
Eastern Michigan University, where he graduated in 1962.
Beaudette spent his entire career in education, starting
as a teacher and coach at St. John's High School in Ypsilanti.
He also was assistant director of recreation for the City
of Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor Public Schools, and a teacher
and counselor at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, followed
by 16 years with Ypsilanti Public Schools. While he was
with Ypsilanti Public Schools, Beaudette was principal
at Erickson Elementary School, West Middle School and Ypsilanti
High School.
In 1990, he became director of alumni relations at EMU,
where he remained until 1996. From 1997-2005, he was principal
of the Academy for Business and Technology High School
in Dearborn Heights. He was elected to the Ypsilanti Twp.
Board of Trustees in 1996 and served until 2004.
For a number of years, Beaudette also ran George's Huron
Inn, a local gathering spot for Ypsilanti residents started
by his parents. Beaudette was an avid golfer and lifetime
member of the Washtenaw Country Club, where he served as
president in 1972 and 1978
Survivors include his wife, Linda; a stepdaughter, Shelly
Braman; a stepmother, Margaret Beaudette; stepbrothers
John Sebestyen and Andy Sebestyen; his ex-wife, Patty
Tracey; and many close friends.
A celebration of his life took place July 9 at Ypsilanti
High School. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions
may be made to the Ypsilanti Public Schools Educational
Foundation, 1885 Packard Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 for
the George Beaudette Endowment Fund.
Elizabeth Van Voorhees, a special education
professor at EMU from 1979-1994, died June 15. She was
71.
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Van Voorhees |
Lynne Rocklage, department head of special education,
served on the department's Curriculum and Instruction Committee
with Van Voorhees. The two also were facilitators in area
schools as part of EMU's Collaborative School improvement
Program (CSIP).
"Beth was committed to the department and to the field of
special education, and supported the work of students and
faculty colleagues alike," Rocklage said. "Dr. Van Voorhees
remained in contact with the department via letters and e-mails
and, when her health and travels permitted, she would stop
by the department to chat. Beth will be missed and the department
mourns her loss."
Van Voorhees received a degree in nursing from Wheaton
College; a degree in elementary education from Ball State
University; and a degree in special education from the
University of Michigan.
She began her career as a general duty nurse in hospitals
in Illinois and Michigan, from 1956-1963, before turning
to teaching. She worked in special education for the Department
of Defense schools in Tokyo, Japan, from 1963-1965. She
went on to teach in Muncie., Ind., and was a teacher consultant
in Ann Arbor Public Schools from 1974-1979. Van Voorhees
joined EMU as an assistant professor of special education
in 1979. She was promoted to associate professor in 1985
and, in 1989, was appointed interim associate dean in Corporate
Services in EMU's then-Institute for Corporate Learning.
In 1991, she was promoted to director of Corporate Services.
In 1994, she retired from EMU and was granted emeritus
status.
She was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and the Council for
Exceptional Children.
Her activities included travel to the Far East and Africa,
playing golf and bridge, reading and attending her grandchildrens'
various sporting events. This earned her the nickname "Sports
Gran." In her later years, she enjoyed entertaining friends
and family in her homes in Florida and Bois Blanc Island,
Mich.
Survivors include her husband, Curtis; a brother, Paul
Raetz, of Bradenton, Fla.; a sister, Trudie Ribbens, of
Grand Rapids, Mich.; two daughters, Megan Davis, of Portland,
Oregon, and Erin Voss, of Ann Arbor; and five grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to remember
Van Voorhees through donations to The Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society. A funeral service will take place later this summer
on Bois Blanc Island, Mich.
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Wendy Jones, a human
resources consultant
at EMU,
passed away June 15. Photo
courtesy of Vermeulen Funeral
Home |
Wendy Jones, a human resources consultant
at EMU from 2005-2007, died June 15. She was 36.
Before coming to EMU, Jones worked for the City of Pontiac
from 1999-2005, serving first as a human resources generalist
before moving up to human resources executive assistant
and human resources administrator.
She received her bachelor's degree in business administration
and human resource administration from Baker College in
Auburn Hills.
"Wendy was one of the few staff I didn't already know
when I moved to HR last year," said Karen Simpkins, EMU's
executive director of Human Resources. "I instantly came
to value her and enjoyed working with her. She was the
ultimate professional who brought a wealth of knowledge,
wisdom and compassion to her work. She always wanted to
do her best and was always questioning people to learn
more. But, I'll remember her high energy, feisty nature
and offbeat sense of humor the most. She always lifted
the spirits of our HR staff."
Survivors include her husband, Bruno Vanzieleghem; two
children, Carly and Abbey; her parents, Robert Jones and
Nancy Pawlowicz; and a sister, Nichole Jones.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Barbara
Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Development Office, 4100
John Road, Detroit, MI 48201-9945.
