Beverly Ann McCabe

 Beverly Ann McCabe, age 77, of Platteville , WI passed away on November 13, 2009, at Southwest Health Center following an extended illness.

Beverly was born August 3, 1932 to Georgina and Kenneth Hudson in Galena , IL . She moved to Platteville as a young girl and graduated from Platteville High School in 1951. She was the editor of the PHS Yearbook and newspaper. Her passion for writing would later inspire her journalism career. Beverly was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart,  Clifford Charles McCabe on June 9, 1951 at St. Mary's Church in Platteville. She raised six children temporarily putting her career on hold. After the youngest was several years old, Beverly began her 31 year career writing feature stories, local news, and the recipe column for the Platteville Journal. Over the years she met many interesting people and enjoyed creating the stories that would be published twice a week. She had a gift, taking her notes from the interview process, weaving the story while typing on her typewriter. Whether she was writing a story on someone's hobby, on a new business in the local area, or on a heart breaking medical journey, she was able to put that special touch on the storyline and make an everlasting impression to the subject of her stories. Her favorite writings included the series done at Christmas, for needy families. She felt these had a huge impact on the local community. It is estimated that Beverly wrote more than 7000 feature stories, highlighting the local area, over her career. She worked well passed the retirement age, finally retiring in 2002 due to failing health conditions. She was a lifelong resident of Platteville, volunteered for the American Cancer Society where she served on the board of directors of the Grant County Cancer Society, and an active member of St. Mary's Church.

Her interests included playing Scrabble, playing euchre, card club, watching the Packers and Brewers with Clifford, family camping trips, and collecting Strawberry items. She enjoyed the annual family vacation traveling throughout the United States , making many lasting memories. Her favorite place to visit was Colorado . Beverly was fond of searching for new recipes and entering recipe contests. She was a five time winner in the Better Home and Garden's "Cook of the Month" contest.

She is survived by her husband Clifford; her children, Pamela Ann (Larry) Wunderlin of Platteville, David (Maureen) of Galena, Tammie (William) VanNatta of Platteville, Angela (Craig) Bergan of Elkader IA, Dan (Debbi) of Watertown, and Amy (Duane) Austin of New Glarus; twelve grandchildren Joseph (Michele), Jeremiah (Angie), Sarah (Nick), Ryan (Melissa), Pollyanna (Michael), Emily (Brian), Cody, Krista, Calvin, Austin, Briana, and Hayley; and four great grandchildren Ruby Ann, Ruby Olivia, Parker, and Madelyn. She is further survived by her mother-in-law Julia McCabe, a brother Doug (Kathie) McPhail, a sister Sandy (Mike) Willis, a sister-in-law Arlene VanNatta, a brother-in-law Jerry (Connie) McCabe and many other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her step-father Donald McPhail, and her father-in-law Joseph McCabe.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Platteville with Monsignor Charles Schluter officiating. Burial was held in Calvary Cemetery , Platteville. Family and friends were welcome from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 16 at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home in Platteville and on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church.

Excerpt from Beverly s last article, There have been three main things in my life that I loved the most. God; my husband and our six children, their spouses and our grandchildren; and writing for the journal. Mrs. Clifford McCabe