Greenberg, Beverly (Parks)
Beverly P. Greenberg passed away on March 7, 2022 at home in West Hartford, Connecticut, surrounded by her family. She was 81.
Born Beverly Lynn Parks on April 18, 1940 in Hartford, Connecticut, she was the daughter of Marion (Kamins) Parks and William Parks.
Beverly was a member of the inaugural, graduating class at Hall High School in West Hartford in 1958.
She was a proud alumna of Mount Holyoke College, from which she earned her bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in 1962. Her receipt of a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 1963, was the beginning of a long and continuous commitment to education and community service.
As a teacher in the Glastonbury Public Schools, she relished the opportunity to nurture curiosity in her students and develop young readers, writers and critical thinkers. With a passion for education policy, she sought to eliminate the inequities in access to education. First elected to the West Hartford Board of Education in 1981, she served for eight years, three as chairperson. She was appointed to the Connecticut State Board of Education in 1989 where she served for 12 years, two as vice chair.
Beverly was an avid fan and supporter of the arts. Theater, music, dance, design, fine art, crafts…she enjoyed them all and appreciated all of the creators behind the finished works.
A life board member of Hartford Stage, she was involved for over forty years as a champion, fundraiser and audience member who appreciated every aspect of bringing a production to the stage. As a docent at the Wadsworth Atheneum, she helped others interpret and appreciate the museum’s collection. Beverly was also a member of the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum Advisory Board.
Beverly served two terms on the board of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving from 2005 to 2014. Other board service included the Hartford Education Foundation, the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame, West Hartford Community Television and Westledge School.
In 2014, she received the Woman Philanthropist of the Year award from the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation, an honor she cherished.
Her service, philanthropy and appreciation of the arts was complemented by effervescence and boundless energy. She kayaked, weight trained, did Pilates and tap danced from a young age, continuing into her seventies.
She was energized by relationships with others and grateful for strong friendships, some lasting from childhood.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Arnold Greenberg; her daughters, Dana and Sara Greenberg; her grandchildren, Joshua and Lily Shafer; and her brother and sister-in-law, David and Pamela Parks.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 10 at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue in West Hartford with Rabbi James Rosen officiating. Masks required. Burial will follow in Beth El Temple Cemetery at 51 Jackson Street, Avon, CT. Immediately following the burial, the family will receive relatives and friends at Beth El Temple.
Shiva will be observed at the family’s home, 47 Jillian Circle, West Hartford, on Thursday, March 10; Sunday, March 13; and Monday, March 14 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with a minyan at 7:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hartford Stage, 50 Church Street, Hartford, CT 06103 (www.hartfordstage.org); Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 10 Columbus Boulevard, 8th Floor, Hartford CT 06106 (www.hfpg.org); Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue West Hartford, CT 06117 (www.bethelwesthartford.org); or a recipient of the donor’s choosing.
Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford, CT. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Beverly, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.