Beverly Sue Pearce passed away, unexpectedly, on Wednesday, Sept. 15.
Born as a single child in Iowa, Pearce was a graduate of Washington High School and earned her bachelor of arts and teaching degree in English in 1973 from the University of Northern Iowa.
Putting her writing and her commitment to help others to the forefront, she worked as the Director of Housing and Economic Development overseeing Redevelopment Agency & Housing Authority for five years, and spent five years as a corporate officer of the League of Women Voters.
Furthering her career, Pearce was a government consultant with over 30 years managing acquisitions and relocations.
With her extensive knowledge, Pearce then formed Pearce Consulting in 1991 and incorporated in 1998 holding the title of president and chief executive officer, employing 19 people and was also the owner of the BS Pearce & Associates Boutique on Main St in Seal Beach.
As a reflection of Pearce’s commitment to excellence, she received several awards for her performance in the relocation and redevelopment fields, including: Certificate of Appreciation from the Long Beach Harbor Department for Relocation Services provided for the World Trade Center Project (1978), The National Recognition Program for Community Development Excellence of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Award for National Excellence for Willowbrook Community Shopping Center/Kenneth Han Plaza (1988), and Certificate of Appreciation from the Casa de Canoga, Simpson Arbor, Towne Square Apartment Corporations (2001).
Pearce has written many successful grant applications and relocation plans, as well as published technical articles in various journals and fiction in literary magazines. Her talents also included writing music, songs and poetry. She published numerous poems, and was an accomplished pianist and loved playing classical music on her baby grand piano and teaching her granddaughter how to play as well.
Pearce was a member of the California Redevelopment Association, the Urban Land Institute, the International Right of Way Association, The California League of Cities and the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce. Pearce had recently been installed on the board of the chamber.
Pearce cared deeply about the town of Seal Beach, its people and its merchants. She urged others to shop locally even putting a full page ad in the Sun Newspaper to support the town she loved.
Pearce’s warmth, caring, energetic wit and wisdom transformed the struggles of life into a challenge she embraced with vigor and enthusiasm, and she shared her knowledge with others.
She was a mentor and dear close friend to many women in the community and she will be sorely missed.
Pearce is survived by her sons Brandon Pearce and Walter Pearce, her daughter in-law Becca Pearce, and her granddaughter Brooklyn Pearce.
Services will be held at the south-east end of Seal Beach, on the beach, near the jetty, Sunday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to a charity of choice.
