Memorial
First Baptist Church of Bay Shore, 175 Second Avenue, Bay Shore, NY 11706Saturday Aug 16, 2025: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
1942 ~ 2025
Saturday Aug 16, 2025: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Beatrice Lucille Toliver, age 82, passed away on July 22, 2025, in Sandy, UT. She was born on November 30, 1942, in Riverhead, NY, where she grew up.
After marrying Irving Toliver on July 24, 1971, Bea lived in Jamaica Queens for a while before moving to Huntington to raise a family. She travelled the world with her husband and family. She preferred warm places in the summer and in the winter, her love of skiing brought her to Japan, France, Canada, Switzerland, and Italy. She was a proud member of the Snowburners Ski Club in Harlem.
Bea received an Associate’s Degree in Secretarial Science at Rider College in 1962. She went on to become a secretary at the Ford Foundation in Manhattan for many years. Then she worked as a secretary for Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory at the Banbury Conference Center, hosting scientists from around the world until she retired. While working at the Banbury Center she got her real estate license and worked as a realtor on the side for a while as well. After retirement she ran the Act So Program, a Math and Science Olympics for kids for the NAACP, training and taking kids to competitions all over the country. She was an avid member of the NAACP, doing activism and travelling to conferences all over.
Bea always rocked the fanciest hats and was extremely well-dressed, a real fashionista. In high school she was a majorette. Bea loved music and there was always music of all different types playing in her house. She was known for baking her famous pies—apple, peach, rhubarb, and mincemeat were among her favorites. Bea loved to cook. She also enjoyed bicycle riding all over her neighborhood. She was an avid bowler and was in a bowling league with Irving.
Bea had wonderful friendships that she kept her whole life. Her favorite holidays were Christmas and Thanksgiving, and she travelled to New Jersey every Thanksgiving to celebrate with her good friend Joyce. She loved celebrating her wedding anniversary, sometimes intimate and sometimes throwing huge parties. She and Irving were married for 53 beautiful years and Bea passed just two days before their 54th anniversary.
Bea loved the snow in the winter and the water in the summer. She used to enjoy sailing and loved living on Long Island surrounded by water. She even liked parasailing. She was known for grabbing a slice of pizza and a Coke and enjoying it down by the bay or at the beach. She liked to fish and would cook and eat what she caught.
Bea grew up in the church and attended the rest of her life. She loved being an usher at First Baptist Church of Bay Shore.
The last two years of her life she moved in with her son Philip for almost a year, then moved to Valencia Memory Care where she was very happy, still smiling that big Bea smile until her last day. She was loved by everyone.
Bea is survived by her husband Irving, her sons Philip and Adam, her grandchildren India, Arya, Silas, Amaya, and Gabrielle, her niece Donna, and a host of cousins and family members.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 16, at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Bay Shore, 175 Second Avenue, Bay Shore, NY 11706.
Deep condolences on the passing of Beatrice. She was a lovely woman and a great Rotarian. She will be missed.
Rest In Paradise Mrs Toliver 🙏🏾🕊️ My Condolences to the Family ❤️
My sincere condolences for the loss of our dear cousin Bea.
My deepest condolences to you and your family ❤️🙏🏿
It is, for me, hard to think of Bea as anything but very much alive, bright, quick, funny, astute, -- always caring and – within all that – unfailingly competent in all she did. We worked together for several years at Banury Center, Cold Spring Harbor Lab. Bea was truly the heart of the operation. With all of the world’s greatest scientists coming through, and all of the ancillary staff to keep it all going – Bea never let things slide or let pressure in any way diminish that wonderful easygoing style. One fond memory I have is a cold day on the Banbury lawn trying to figure out how to get a boomerang to come back to Philip, who was probably around 10 at the time! My wife, Elly, and I remember Bea so very vividly and fondly and will always continue to do so.
Our deepest condolences to the Tolliver and Gray family.
Cousin Ronald Mack and family, Powhatan va.
It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Mrs. Toliver. She was a very kind person and will truly be missed. We send our condolences to her family and friends. She’s gone but will never be forgotten! 💔💔
Irving, I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you, Phillip and AJ. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to know Bea. She was a beautiful soul. I will cherish memories of my travels with her alone as well as with both of you. Bea was the best travel partner. Wishing you and family peace and love always.
Dear Philip and AJ,
I am so saddened to read of your mom’s passing. I send my condolences.
As life moved on, I lost contact with your mom and dad. The many wonderful memories and photographs will have a happy place in my heart.