Beverlee G. McLeod Kirkland, 61, of Glenside, a Christian activist, died of diabetes Tuesday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Kirkland graduated from Haverford High School and attended Villanova University. For several years she worked for Campus Crusade for Christ in California, England, and West Germany.
In 1973, she became administrator for the newly established Church of the Savior, a nondenominational church in Wayne. Later she was an administrative assistant at the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation in Glenside. In the early 1990s she was an administrator for Integrated Diabetes Services in Wynnewood. Mrs. Kirkland served on the board of Phil-Mont Christian Academy in Erdenheim.
Linda Anne Kleckner (Durieux)
July 17, 2009 was a day that heaven rejoiced, receiving one of their angels back into their family. Beverlee and I didn't hang out together in high school, but after college we found ourselves training at the San Bernardino, CA headquarters for ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ, Int'l. I was with CCC for almost seven years and Beverlee for three times that or more. Our paths crossed sporadically, but every time they did, we had the greatest times together. We felt like we'd never been apart when we met up with one another years apart. She married a good friend of mine, Dr. Collier Kirkland from Pittsburgh, PA. We all worked together in ministry at the Christian Embassy in Washington, D.C. in the 70s. One of the best times in my life! We even went together to Carter's Presidential Ball in a fun group of couples. Those were the days! :-)
Beverlee always exuded love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as found in the N.T. in Galatians 5. She lived First Corinthians 13! If ever there was a Protestant Mother Theresa, she was the closest to that godly woman in my generation than anyone will ever find. If only I could model my life after Beverlee's.....she is a Christian saint. I miss her gentleness and kindness....and her JOY and loving SMILE!! In four days she will have been in heaven for six years....where there's no pain, sorrow, fear or evil anywhere. I'm looking forward to joining her some day down the road of my earth's journey. :-)