Jean Tapp Beal ’52

Humanitarian, educator, and Cornell Life Trustee Jean Tapp Beal ’52 died Sept. 2, 2017, in Rockford, Illinois.

Beal graduated from Cornell with majors in sociology and elementary education. After leaving the Hilltop, she taught elementary school in Arlington Heights, Illinois. In 1953 she married the Rev. E. Maynard Beal ’52.

She became active in the United Methodist Church, and during her more than 40 years of service she led and coordinated workshops for the church’s global ministries including evangelism, relief work, and economic development. Her work on humanitarian and women’s issues took her around the world, including with the World Health Organization in Africa, India, and Hong Kong. She also worked in Europe, the Middle East, the South Pacific, Mexico, China, the Soviet Union, and numerous parts of the United States.

As a member of the Cornell Board of Trustees from 1979-1991 and the Alumni Board of Directors from 1978-1981, she supported the college’s move to the block plan, and took two classes in 1981 to learn first hand what the program was like. She received Cornell’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 1998.

She is survived by two children and three grandchildren.