Beverly Fetner

Mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher, traveler, tastemaker, caterer and party

innovator dies at 96.

Beverly Fetner was born on February 26th, 1928 in Brooklyn at Borough Park Hospital. Her mom

Sadie named her after her favorite street. Beverly Road. She died peacefully in her sleep on

Sunday and is survived by her three sons: Steven, Martin and Barry.

Beverly was raised during the great depression which had a huge influence on the way she led

her life. Always frugal and clever at stretching a dollar Beverly would drive to New Jersey to

shop at Jerry’s Italian Specialty and Shop Rite for added savings. And of course, fill her car up

with inexpensive gas before returning to Manhattan. Lights in her home were on only as

needed and turned off promptly after leaving the room. This practice was handed down to her

children who cringe when a light is left on in an empty space.

Her father Solomon was a Civil Engineer and her mother Sadie was a home maker. Both parents

were born in New York. She had an older sister Carol and a younger brother Burt. The family

owned and lived in a private house in Brooklyn with seven bedrooms. For additional income Sol

rented a portion of the unoccupied rooms to another family.

Although Beverly grew up in close knit environment she developed a huge thirst for adventure

and travel. Either she had just returned from an exotic location or was quickly heading towards

one. Bevy’s criteria was to choose a culture juxtaposed to her everyday life. Each new location

was an adventure with its share of thrills and danger.

She traveled to China prior to China opening their borders to tourism. The challenge was clear.

How do I enter a country that does not allow tourists? Beverly promptly signed onto an

educational excursion making her one of the first Americans to visit China in 1978. She

purchased a world travel ticket and with 2 companions headed to India. May in China, June in

Mumbai. This was only the beginning. A visit to Bhutan, an African Safari, pyramid viewing in

Egypt, a cruise on the Nile and multiple trips to Europe were among the many excursions she

experienced.

Her work life mimicked her love for travel. Always unique and exciting. Bevy was hired as the

facilities manager at the Columbia University Faculty House. Upon arriving she discovered that

the Faculty House was in disarray. The décor was dated and the food was barely edible. Within

one year and with a limited budget she transformed the Faculty House into a first-class eatery.

The décor was updated and the red brick mansion on campus had been transformed. The

professors were ecstatic. Her real talent was in hospitality.

Before Citarella and Martha Stewart were house hold names Beverly opened Main Course

Catering. Main Course was an innovative retail food store serving take home meals to upscale

clientele heading home from work located on the upper east side.

Determined, focused and always searching for new opportunity Bevy developed another ground

breaking business. Cosmetic surgery was just beginning to become popular. Beverly understood

that after a cosmetic procedure most women wanted to convalesce away from home until they

felt more comfortable with their new look. She rented rooms in the Carlyle Hotel, hired

licensed nurses and thus Apres Cosmetique was born. Clearly ahead of its time.

Beverly renovated a two bedroom apartment on the upper west side and lived there for four

decades. New York was her home where she felt most comfortable. She cherished her children

her grandchildren, her great grandchildren and her friends. She retired from work at 80. At 90

she joined the JCC and met weekly to discuss world politics. She moved to Florida and for the

last two years of her life lived at a Senior Living facility in Ft Lauderdale. Bevy made close

friends and religiously attended all activities. She will be missed.

Her's was a life worth living.