Marjorie Beahan Vandenack

Marjorie Beahan Vandenack

May 31, 1932 – June 5, 2025

In Loving Memory of Marjorie Beahan Vandenack

Marjorie Beahan Vandenack passed away peacefully at the age of 93, surrounded by the love of her family. A devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, educator, writer, reader, world traveler, and friend, Marjorie lived a life rich in purpose, curiosity, and deep connection to those around her.

Born in Buffalo, New York, Marjorie obtained her Bachelor of Art in Education at Buffalo State. Her path as a teacher led her west to California, where she met her beloved husband, Roger Vandenack, while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. Together they ultimately made Nebraska their home, raising their family in Yutan and becoming active members of the community. Marjorie was avid about the value of education and while living and teaching in Yutan, Marjorie pursued and obtained her Master of Arts Degree in Education as well as obtaining post-doctoral credits in counseling and administration. Marjorie taught generations of students in the Yutan school system, where her warmth, dedication, and love of learning left a lasting legacy.

A gifted writer, Marjorie expressed her heart through poetry, winning awards for her work and touching lives with her words. She was excited to win the UNO’s Women and Successful Aging Poetry Contest. In her later years, she was especially proud to serve as a regular columnist for the Pacific Springs Village Voice, where her poems, columns, reflections and storytelling were loved by fellow residents. Each Christmas, she presented a writing about the family to capture as much family history as she could.

Marjorie was active in the American Association of University Women of Omaha Chapter. She served as mentor and acted as president for the organization. Marjorie was also active in the Red Hats Society, Omaha Senior Center (serving as President).

Dedicated to education, Marjorie acted as a tutor for children in under-resourced schools and loved to share stories about the children she worked with to encourage them in pursuing education. She was particularly fond of the book group in which she participated and was given credit by her peers for choosing challenging books and encouraging all to think critically. She also loved the arts and music and served as a docent for The Holland Center and the Orpheum.

Marjorie was a lifelong athlete. Over the years, she was an avid swimmer and participated in several mini triathlons. She continued to swim and work out daily right up to the day she passed away.

Marjorie was also an adventurous spirit who loved to travel. After Roger’s passing, she set out to explore the world—embracing new cultures, meeting new people, and making memories that became cherished stories for her family. She travelled to over 35 countries including excursions to Dubai, Egypt, Japan, China, and almost all of Europe. Some of her favorite trips were her annual Santa trips with groups of friends.  She also loved any trip with her family. Whether she was writing, teaching, exploring, or simply sitting at the table with family and chocolate, she brought joy, warmth, and wit to every moment.

Marjorie’s favorite times were those spent with her family. She never said no to a family activity and would drop everything to join a family member for something fun or to help them in a moment of challenge. True to her vibrant spirit, the weekend before her passing, at a celebration of her 93rd birthday, she was swinging a golf club at TopGolf and enjoying chocolate cake surrounded by her entire immediate family—a joyful celebration of life that perfectly reflected the way she lived it.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Vandenack. Marjorie is survived by her children: Joe (Christine) Vandenack, Matthew Vandenack, Mary Vandenack, and Patricia Intrator (Mike); her older brother, Laurence P. Beahan, M.D.; grandchildren: Michael, Anna, Jacob, Wyatt and Wade; step-grandchildren, Lizzie and Paul West; nieces and nephews.

Marjorie’s legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the stories she told, the adventures she embraced, the writings she created, and the love she gave so freely in so many ways. Her presence will be deeply missed and forever treasured.

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A private family burial will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at St. James Cemetery in Mead, Nebraska.

Later that day,  a  Celebration of Marjorie’s Life will be held at Happy Hollow Country Club, 1701 S. 105th St., Omaha, from 4:00-6:00PM with  a Memorial Presentation starting at 4:10PM and Reception and Community Gathering beginning at 5:00PM. To view a live broadcast of the Celebration of Life, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society/Nebraska Chapter; American Heart Association/Nebraska Chapter; YMCA; and Omaha Public Library.

Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com