Dates
Drusilla Beebe Burghard, 86, of San Antonio and most recently San Angelo, died on Saturday, December 2, 2017, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family and generosity through service.
She was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on September 4, 1931 to Fred and Stella Beebe. She grew up in Philadelphia, PA and graduated from Academy of the Sisters of Mercy High School. She met the love of her life, Herman Burghard Jr. on a blind date in Houston, Texas when she was visiting her Uncle, Fr. Floyd.Herman was the “Tuesday” blind date and they went on their first real date in “Texas” fashion when he took her to the Huntsville Rodeo the following Saturday. They were married in Philadelphia, PA on October 4, 1952 and started their life together in Houston, Texas.
Dru and Herman were founding members of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas, as well as founders of the church’s St. Vincent DePaul Society ministry. For 30 years, she had her own “Christmas Project,” that she ran from her house which provided food and gifts for hundreds of families.
In addition, she was the Director of Religious Education for St. Matthew’s, founded the church library, co-sponsored the youth group, volunteered as the church librarian, Eucharistic minister and lent her talents to the Mission Del Carmen. She was also a 50+ year member and leader of Girl Scouts.
Her generosity was born of experience. At 13, she began working as a Bell telephone operator in Philadelphia to help support her family.
Her inherent joy was matched by her natural curiosity, intelligence and love of the arts and reading books. As a young woman, she sang with the Philadelphia Metropolitan Opera and volunteered as a candy striper at the hospital. She went back to school and earned a degree after raising six children.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Herman Burghard Jr.; parents Fred and Stella Beebe; brothers Albert Beebe and Rev. David Beebe; and sister Corinne Taylor. She is survived by her beloved children; Joseph and wife Billie Jeanne, Anne Ware and husband Mike, Paul and wife Sally Hatfield, Charles and wife Laurie Postlewate, David and wife Stephanie, Jenny Corbett and husband Jim; 18 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren, her brother Arthur Beebe and wife Peggy, and nieces and nephews.
A memorial mass and rosary will be celebrated at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas on December 18 at 10:30 a.m. Internment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:45pm. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent to St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Matthew’s Catholic Church 10703 Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78230. Arrangements are by Harper Funeral Home.
Special thanks to Dr. Kirkland and the ICU staff at San Angelo Community Medical Center for their true dedication to the medical profession and the compassion and care that they give their patients and families.
Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at
www.harper-funeralhome.com