Beverly Ann McKay

Mar 23, 1936 -

Sep 23, 2020

Beverly Ann McKay of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away on Sept. 23, 2020, after a brief illness. She was born in Detroit, Mich., on March 23, 1936, the first of three children to Lloyd and Esther (Gunn) Felt with siblings Roger and Barbara. She grew up in Detroit and graduated from Redford High School in 1954.

Beverly and Brian lived next door to one another in their grandparents' homes in the early years of their lives. They met again in California in 1956, and married a year later, on June 14, 1957, in Detroit. They moved to Southern California to begin their life together.

Beverly and Brian have three sons: Bruce, Brad and Bret. Their family enjoyed camping, as well as sports. Beverly, Brian and the boys started their trek north to Alaska in May 1973.

In Anchorage, Beverly worked with the Department of Motor Vehicles for about 25 years. She advanced to become Hearing Officer and Chief of Driver Improvement for the State of Alaska and retired in 1993.

Beverly really enjoyed all aspects of her life in Alaska. She loved fishing. Her record setting catch was a 160 lb. halibut near Valdez. She was very active in the Anchorage sports community. She was an active booster for both UAA and Aces Hockey. She was also involved with high school football in Anchorage, compiling stats for the newspaper.

Beverly became very well known for her wildlife photography and her work with the Birds of Alaska. She loved sharing her photographs from Potter Marsh in and throughout the state.

While she loved Alaska, Beverly also enjoyed traveling. She and Brian often visited relatives and warmer places like Hawaii. Together they enjoyed many places around the world.

Beverly was the paramount "people person" who loved to learn from everyone. She enjoyed people and kept families and friends connected. Beverly created cards and poetry for friends and family, cherished by everyone.

Beverly was preceded in death by her mother, Esther; father, Lloyd; brother, Roger; and granddaughter, Jamie Jo. Beverly is survived by her husband, Brian; sister, Barbara; sister-in-law, Carol Atkinson; children, Bruce (Julie), Brad (Mary) and Bret; three grandchildren, Nicholas (Sandee), Andrew and Justin (Val); and five great-grandchildren, Chloe, Kennedy, Kody, Nina and Rowan. Beverly really enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren growing up and received tremendous love from them in return.