Beverly Jean Stump

Dr. Beverly Jean Stump, aged 92, passed away peacefully at her home from end-stage hypertensive disease.  She was preceded in death by her partner Roland T. Talton and her ex-husband Dr. Harvey M. Solomon.  She is survived by her three children David, Daniel, and Nancy; daughters-in-law Liza and Susan; granddaughters Aleshia and Felicia; and her great-grandchildren Roland, Penelope, Joshua, and Jaxon.
 
She was a long-time resident of Bel Air having relocated here in 1972 to serve as deputy Harford County Health Officer and director of maternal and child health first for Dr. Irving Canfield and then Mr. Tommy Thomas.  She retired from State of Maryland employment in 2002 as Acting Health Officer but continued to serve on various county boards during her retirement.
 
She hailed from Warren, Ohio and was descended from early settlers of West Virginia and pioneers of New England, Missouri, and Montana.  Medical training was a vocational pursuit for her, and she could vividly recall wanting to be a physician from her early childhood days.  She attended Hiram College in north-eastern Ohio and graduated from the University of Maryland Medical School in 1959 as the sole female member of the class.  For a time, she was joined in that class by Dr Rosemary Hatem Bonsak, with whom she formed a lifelong friendship.  She completed her internship and a Master of Public Health at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul.  She was a passionate advocate of women in medicine and was active in the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland while retaining her medical license well into her mid-80’s.
 
She was well-loved by her colleagues at the health department and remained in contact with them for many years.  She was a passionate reader throughout her life, with submarine books being her favorite genre.  A lover of all animals, she was particularly devoted to a succession of traditional Siamese cats.  For many years she attended Mount Vernon UMC when it was led by Rev Edwin Ankeny, and then as a member of the traditional service congregation at Mays Chapel UMC.  Her faith shaped her character, and her character gave her love. She was a wonderful mother to her three children, who are heartbroken by her passing.