Beverly L. Freed-Lawrence

Beverly Freed-Lawrence has been a member of the Abington community since 1939. As a young child, her introduction to community service began by watching her funeral director parents become involved in helping others over the years. She was taught from a very young age that she should help others who are in need.

Beverly attended Glenside-Weldon Elementary and Junior High and graduated from Abington High School. She received a B.S. in Nursing Education from the University of Pittsburgh as well as an R.N. from the Abington Hospital School of Nursing. She has served as an operating room nurse and an instructor of nursing at the Abington Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She also served as a substitute nurse in the Abington School District. Beverly owned and operated the John R. Freed Funeral Home in Glenside for 22 years before transferring ownership to her son, John Jr. She continues to work regularly with her son on a part time basis.

Beverly has been very active in the Abington School District for many years. Her close association began in 1971. She became president of the Glenside-Weldon PTA, and then president of the Abington School District Parent Council. She served as an Abington School Director for six years and was a member of numerous committees. Beverly is a current member of the Abington Education Foundation and has served as its chair. She is also a past president of the Abington Adult School and continues to serve on its board. Beverly is currently serving on the Stadium Fundraising Committee and continues to volunteer when needed.

Beverly is well known in the Glenside community as a tireless volunteer. She is a past president of the Greater Glenside Chamber of Commerce and has served as co-chair of the Glenside Centennial Committee, representing Abington Township. She served as past treasurer of the Glenside Branch of the Needlework Guild. Beverly is an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and has served on the Church Council. She is past president of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Women and is presently the parish nurse for the congregation. She is a former board member of the Artman Lutheran Home in Ambler.

Briar Bush Nature Center is very special to Beverly. She is past president of the Friends of Briar Bush and was chairperson of the fundraising committee when it raised over $500,000 for building renovations. She remains active in many of their activities. Beverly has also served as past president of the Friends of Abington Library and Friends of the Atwood Library at Arcadia University.

Beverly has received many awards that recognize her commitment to education and youth. They include: Friend of Education Award from Abington Junior High School, Abington School District School Director Recognition, Pennsylvania Senate Citation and Pennsylvania House of Representatives Citation for President of the Friends of Briar Bush, Griscom Award from Briar Bush Nature Center, Glenside Inter-Service Club Distinguished Community Service Award, and Federation Star from Pennsylvania General Federation of Women’s Club.
As you can see, Beverly’s involvement with children in the Abington and Rockledge communities has centered primarily on the schools, library, and Briar Bush Nature Center. She is very loyal to the Abington and Rockledge communities and believes that “We are a community that cares about our neighbors, our children, and our neighborhoods. We provide recreational areas for all ages, and we instill good moral values and good work ethics in our children.”

In expressing a vision for Abington Township, Beverly would like to see us “…continue the excellence in our schools and municipal government. We need to encourage diversity within each community so that everyone has the same opportunity to be a success in life.” She would like to see PAL (Police Athletic League) activities expand into other areas of Abington Township and strongly believes that a bike path to connect more communities to one other, would be something worth striving for in Abington.

As for future community goals for our youth, Beverly feels strongly that “We need to make sure all of our youth have places to go to play, not just hang out. We need to make sure parents are involved with our youth in church, synagogue, and school. We need to encourage academic excellence and stimulate inquiring minds.”

Beverly lives in Glenside with her husband, Donald R. Lawrence. She has three children, John Freed, Jr., Susan Castro, Traci Freed-Najbrt, and four grandchildren. In her spare time, Beverly loves to travel and has been to Europe, Australia, and China. She enjoys reading mystery books, gardening, and going to the shore.

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