In Memory of Loretta Beuchert 1944-2021
After my mother’s passing in 2021, I found myself reflecting on the ways my Mom had made an impact on my life. One of them is my love of reading and my children’s love of reading. So I felt a donation to the library in her honor would be a nice way to honor her and also help others enjoy the benefits of what the library has to offer all of us!
My mother, Loretta Beuchert, was an avid reader her entire life. She came from a large family with many siblings. There wasn’t a lot of money for extravagant things, like toys; even food and clothing at times were scarce. So she began reading as a young child and often visited the local library for books to read. Books, of course, were free at the library, and she could take out as many as she wanted.
The library and her books were a place she could retreat to. She loved to get lost in a book and escape the chaotic world. She found excitement in exploring those books and a sense of peace at the same time.
My Mom continued to read her entire adult life. She liked books of all genres, fiction, and non-fiction, but loved animal stories in particular. Before and after retirement, she joined a book club and often visited her local library. When she became ill with her second bout of cancer in 2020, she continued her book club discussions, joining virtually when she couldn’t drive any longer, and COVID kept everyone at home. When the library was closed during the pandemic, she figured out how to download her books virtually to read.
My mother introduced books and the library to me early in my life, and I also love to read. My children, who are both young adults now, really enjoy reading. When they were little, we would often visit the C. Burr Artz library and stock up on books. It was great fun!
Even now, I visit the library in person and online and am amazed at all the programs offered to both adults and children. While I was living and helping to care for my mother during her illness, I often utilized the library online for books, magazines, learning a language, and brushing up on my skills with Linkedin Learning which is available for library subscribers. The resources at the library are wonderful for me, and our community.
Each quarter, Frederick County Public Libraries features a story from a library lover. The stories, written by our donors, share their personal accounts of what the library means to them. Are you interested in sharing your love story? Contact our FCPL Development Officer at jel-zeftawy@frederickcountymd.gov.