Mary Ida Beaver

Mary Ida Beaver passed away peacefully on April 3, 2024, at the age of 92. She lived at Morningside of Concord, where she was loved and cared for by the wonderful staff and her many friends.

Mary Ida was the devoted wife of Guy M. Beaver, Jr. for 66 years, before his death in 2022. She was also a dedicated mother to Louise B. Ripple (Randy) and Guy M. Beaver III (Genny). “MIB” (a nickname she earned after becoming a grandmother) leaves behind an impressive legacy in her five grandchildren: Martha Ripple (Tom Kuklinski), Mary Ripple (Gray Visco), Ruth Ann Beaver, Meredith Beaver, Ben Beaver; and five great-grandchildren: Lee Kuklinski, Nell Kuklinski, Mary Mac Kuklinski, James Visco, and Audrey Visco. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marguerite and Julius Fisher, her twin sister, Johnnie May Long, and her sister, Betsy Propst.

After attending Concord City schools, Mary Ida graduated from Meredith College with a degree in chemistry. She then worked as a laboratory chemist for the City of Charlotte before marrying Guy and starting their family. Mary Ida was very involved in raising her two children, and took to heart Jackie Kennedy’s quote: “If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do matters very much.”

A lifelong Concordian, Mary Ida loved her community and was a member of many organizations over the course of her life, including First Presbyterian Church (Circle 3), the Ruth Coltrane Cannon Garden Club, the Ethel R. Williams Book Club, and the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. She was also a talented artist, and many of her friends and family were lucky enough to receive a crewel embroidered pillow or hand-painted piece of furniture for their homes.

Mary Ida's friends and family will remember her passion for Wake Forest sports, beautiful flowers, John Grisham novels, casseroles, and card games.

The family would like to thank the staff of Morningside of Concord as well as Hospice of Cabarrus County for her compassionate care.

There will be a graveside service for Mary Ida at Oakwood Cemetery on Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 pm followed by a reception in the Fellowship House at First Presbyterian Church, Concord.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 789, Concord, NC 28026.