Memorial event for Jane Beering scheduled for Sunday; campus memorial to be held this summer

A memorial event will be held for former Purdue first lady Jane Beering from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday (April 26) at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis.

The memorial event will be an extended calling with her immediate family in attendance.

Another event is being planned to honor Mrs. Beering on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus during the summer. Details will be forthcoming.

Mrs. Beering died March 9 in Carmel, Indiana at 81 years of age. She is survived by her husband, Purdue President Emeritus Steven Beering; her sons Peter (wife Shokrina) of Carmel, David (wife Donna) of Wheaton, Illinois, and John (wife Heather) of Kalamazoo, Michigan; and five grandchildren.

Mrs. Beering was the first lady of Purdue for 17 years starting in 1983. After taking a major role in renovating Westwood to increase its ability to hold University events, Mrs. Beering held over 100 events per year, hosting more than 100,000 students, alumni, faculty and staff.  In 2000, Purdue bestowed on her an honorary doctorate of hospitality management for her role as “first hostess.”

Mrs. Beering will be buried at the top of Slayter Hill, one of her favorite spots on campus. She joins Purdue benefactor and trustee David Ross and John Purdue as the only three people buried on campus.

Memorial contributions for the Beering Scholars program can be mailed to Purdue University Honors College (ATTN.: Nathaniel Coghlan), 205 N. Russell St., West Lafayette, IN 47906-4238. Checks can be made payable to the Purdue Research Foundation. Please fill out the memo line to read “Contribution to Beering Scholars program in honor of Jane Beering.”