Beverly Hope O'Hara

Beverly Hope Williams O’Hara died peacefully in her sleep at home in Austin, on May 27 after a long and courageous battle with restrictive cardio myopathy and congestive heart failure, with her husband and caregiver, Will, by her side. She was 72.

Beverly was born in Baltimore, MD on February 9, 1947 to Vallie Franklin Williams and Pearl Ellen Campbell. In 1958, the family relocated to Dallas, where Beverly graduated from W.W. Samuell High School in 1965. That same summer, Beverly met her future husband, Will O’Hara, while both were working summer jobs at the Sears Catalog Plant on Lamar Street in Dallas. They became inseparable for 54 years and were married for 51 years.

After a brief career at Sears, Beverly decided to unselfishly retire and stay at home to run the family business affairs and support Will in his business career. During this period, they lived in Chicago (3 times), Los Angeles, Kansas City and London, where Will finally retired.

It was an easy decision to return to Texas and Austin after retirement. They traveled the world together before Beverly got sick and could no longer. Their desire to “give back” led them to philanthropic support for The University of Texas, UT Health San Antonio and many other national and local causes, with an emphasis on education. Beverly often said that, “an education is something no one can ever take away from you.” She touched everyone she met with her courage, toughness and genuine care and will long be remembered.

She is survived by her husband, Will, a sister Phyllis Pruitt (George), niece Sarah Pruitt, and nephew George Pruitt II, his wife Greta and daughter Haley and son “little” Will.

We wish to thank our many friends and colleagues for their continuous outpouring of care, concern and encouragement to Beverly over the years.

The family also wishes to acknowledge the following health care professionals for their compassionate and encouraging care of Beverly during her long struggle and for enabling her to maintain a quality of life to the end:

Dr. David Terreson, MD

Dorothy Darby, RN ANP-BC

Dr. Paul Bristol, MD

Dr. Jordan Weingarten, MD

Dr. William Deaton

There will be no funeral service. Instead, a Memorial Celebration of her Life is planned for 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 13 at the University of Texas Alumni Center, 2110 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, 78712.

For those wishing to remember Beverly with a memorial gift, a scholarship fund, “The Beverly O’Hara Subiendo Scholars,” has been established with “The Texas Exes” to support future students in need of financial aid to attend the University of Texas.

Beverly O’Hara will be greatly missed by many!