Beverly Bresler Beidler, a trailblazing woman who was one of the first female elected officials in Alexandria, died March 28, 2014. She was 85.
"She was so diligent and committed," said Councilwoman Del Pepper. "She was someone who saw what needed to be done and did it."
Beidler got her start in politics as president of the League of Women Voters in Alexandria, where she served as president from 1965 to 1967. She was first elected to the City Council in 1973, serving two terms and stepping down in 1979. During her years on council, she was known for her public information program, distributing information to civic associations at a wide range of locations including libraries, recreation centers, schools and commercial locations.
In 1987, she became registrar of voters and served 13 years in that office. In 2000, shortly before her retirement, she served as chairwoman of the Year 200 Complete Count Committee for the city, an effort to make sure all Alexandria residents were counted in the Census. After she retired in 2000, the City Council passed a proclamation honoring year years of service.
"Beverly Beidler worked diligently for 13 years to increase opportunities for Alexandria residents to register and vote," the proclamation explained.
Beidler was married to the late John Hassinger Beidler. She was mother to Diana Simonton (Rich) of Alexandria, Gary Williams Beidler (Deedie) of Massachusetts, Linda Moncure (William) and Bruce Beidler (Theresa) both of Alexandria. She is survived by two brothers, Ted Bresler of Florida and Mark Bresler of Pennsylvania as well as seven grandchildren, Fredric, Mariah, Colin, Chloe, Drake, Athena and Emily.
The family will receive family and friends on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 3 p.m. at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home, where a Memorial service will be held at 4 p.m.