Now a retired occupational therapist and consultant, Nancy A. Beasom accumulated more than 20 years of professional excellence with the Embreeville Center in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, on behalf of the Department of Public Welfare. Hired as an occupational therapist in 1975, she proceeded to acquire the roles of a supervisor and mental retardation unit manager. Additionally, she worked in consulting for a private practice in West Chester, Pennsylvania, for the Chester County MHMR Unit, as well as Elwyn, Inc., one of the oldest and largest care facilities in the United States, for Brian’s House in West Chester and for Home Health Care Agency in West Reading, Pennsylvania. Since 2005, Ms. Beasom has been employed as a pottery instructor on Princess Cruise Lines. A talented artist, she formerly worked as a craftsman in West Chester for 10 years designing silver jewelry before becoming an occupational therapist.
While working at the center, Ms. Beasom played an instrumental role in the design of an onsite accessible kitchen for patients. She was able to get some handicapped people into power-driven wheelchairs, which gave them the freedom to move about on their own. Written up in the local newspaper for her contributions, she was also recognized by the local government at its open house. Ms. Beasom spoke about the successful project at several area conferences thereafter, inspiring other facilities to also create similar accessible kitchens. She also did private consultation and state work, and was very active in barrier free environment.
Involved in her community since retirement, Ms. Beasom has served as the vice president of the First Presbyterian Church of Punta Gorda, Florida. She has also become a prolific writer. In 2012, Ms. Beasom published a book of poetry titled “Growing and Knowing.”
An alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania, Ms. Beasom acquired a Bachelor of Science in occupational therapy in 1958. During that time, the university had a lot of clinical courses, but, at the time, they also had art courses. Occupational therapy had a lot to do with art, so she became very interested in silversmithing. When she graduated from college, she was married with one child and became a registered and licensed occupational therapist in Pennsylvania and Florida. Moreover, Ms. Beasom is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
A celebrated Marquis listee, Ms. Beasom has been featured in over a dozen editions of Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Who’s Who in the East and Who’s Who in the World. She is a believer of Jesus Christ, and she felt it was his hand upon her that has kept her at it. The mentors who motivated and inspired her were her instructors at the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, in high school, there was one inspiring teacher, along with her parents, Albert Lawrence and Ruth Augusta (Badgley) Hibbs, and her husband of 61 years, Ronald Lightner Beasom. Together, they are the proud parents of three wonderful children, Kim Leslie Schwab, Jeffrey Craig and Bryn Ann Fay. They are also doting grandparents to nine beloved grandchildren. Ms. Beasom would like to remembered as someone who was very professional.
