Verdun "Verdie" Marie Behan, age 103, of Chesterfield, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2022. She was born in Saint Louis, Missouri, on October 5, 1918 to the late Meyer and Emelia Stern (nee Hermann). She had one sister, the late Dorris Padberg Zak.
Verdie grew up in a loving home and became involved in Girl Scouts, piano and dancing. She performed on The Muny stage, becoming the first of four generations to perform there. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Saint Louis in 1935 and attended Culver Stockton College for two years. She met her future husband, Cliff, as a volunteer at a USO Dance at Union Station in 1945; getting married two months later. Her love of books led her to work at Principia School in the bookstore for 20 years; however, her greatest joy was being a mother to her four children, grandmother to eight grandchildren, and great-grandmother of eight. Verdie had an incredible influence on the lives of her children and grandchildren. She taught them invaluable life lessons: trusting God to guide you, the importance of family, finding the positive side of every situation, always doing your best, and praying daily to protect loved ones. She led by example and modeled a life filled with love and happiness, creating a family that loves and supports each other. A wonderful listener, she gave her children faith: faith in themselves, faith in God, and faith in their abilities to overcome life's obstacles. Her enduring gift of love and care will be passed along for generations to come.
Verdie was the dear wife of 51 years of the late Clifford Behan; beloved mother of the late Michael (Donna) Behan, Bill (Cathy) Behan, Jill (the late George) Ramsey, and Jack Behan; cherished grandmother of Laura (Kevin) Hewgley, Chris (Liz) Behan, Shawn Behan, Kaitlin (Blake) Crawford, Beau Behan, Cody Behan, Kelsey Ramsey, and Kim (Tim) Lindsey; and loving great-grandmother of Madeline Hewgley, Hayden Hewgley, Brady Behan, Claire Behan, Emma Behan, Chase Behan, Colton Lindsey and Rose Lindsey. She will be dearly missed by many other family members and friends.
A private family service will take place on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, West County Chapel, 2211 Clarkson Road, Chesterfield, Missouri 63017.
Memorial contributions in Verdie's name may be made out to the Christian Science Reading Room:
Maggie McCallie
C/O Christian Science Reading Room
13420 Clayton Road
Saint Louis, MO 63131
To share a memory of Verdie or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.