Beverly Ann Fortnam

May 10, 1936 - January 30, 2019

Beverly Bamford Fortnam, 82, of DeBary, Florida, passed away and found peace after a long battle with heart and kidney disease on January 30, 2019. Beverly was born to Ethelyn and Floyd Bamford on May 10, 1936 in Utica, NY. She attended the historic First Baptist Church in North Utica where she enjoyed singing hymns that she also played at home on her antique organ. She attended Whitesboro Central Schools. She was also an avid roller skater in her youth. She lived most of the first chapter of her life as Mrs. Louis J. Zullo who she married on April 14, 1956, living on the farm and working for many years as a pharmacy technician at Central New York Psychiatric Center until her retirement. Beverly lived the second chapter of her life as Mrs. Richard Fortnam after their marriage on June 15, 1996 first between Florida and New York and then permanently in DeBary, FL where she enjoyed the sun, her home, and traveling adventures across the country. Beverly was most grateful for the loving care provided by her husband, Dick, and enjoying playing cards, reading, watching NASCAR, caring for her cat, Cally, swooning over her great grandson, and bragging about her two daughters. Beverly will be best known for keeping her sense of humor in all circumstances, the good and the challenging, always fighting the good fight as well as affectionately being called “Miss Kitty,” having at least nine lives as she courageously overcame her multiple bouts with health adversities. Beverly is survived by her husband, Richard Fortnam, her daughters, Lori Ann Remick of Naples, FL, and Dr. Susan Zullo of Bethesda, MD, her beloved brother Robert Bamford and wife Linda of Holland Patent, NY, and her nephew Michael Bamford of Whitesboro, NY, a granddaughter, Lisa D’Ortone and husband Steve of Towson, MD, her great grandson, Dominic, her step-son, Steven (Jan) Fortnam of Westmoreland, NY, and step-daughter, Mary Ann (Pat) Wells of Kissimmee, FL. She is predeceased by her first husband, Joe, her infant son, David, her son-in-law, Paul, and her nephew Robert Bamford, Jr. She also leaves behind many treasured friends including special friend, Betty Beske. A celebration of Beverly’s life will be held at a later date.