Honoring Award-Winning NJ Educator Yvonne Beatrice, 73

Funeral Services Set for Ben Franklin Middle School Teacher and Mahwah Mock Trial Founder, Yvonne Beatrice

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

The Bergen County community is mourning the loss of Yvonne Beatrice (née DeSerio), an inspirational and highly decorated New Jersey educator, who passed away on November 1st at the age of 73.

Known for her profound impact on students across multiple districts—including Ridgewood, Hawthorne, and Mahwah—Beatrice’s legacy is defined by her dedication to history, civic engagement, and innovative teaching methods.

Funeral service details are as follows:

Event	Date & Time	Location
Visitation	Thursday, November 6 (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.)	Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home (Ramsey)
Funeral Mass	Friday, November 7 (10:00 a.m.)	St. Elizabeth’s Church (Wyckoff)
Interment	Following Mass	Maryrest Cemetery (Mahwah)

 

A Legacy of Excellence: Awards and Innovation

Yvonne Beatrice was a teaching pioneer whose work earned her numerous prestigious honors throughout her career:

• 2010: New Jersey History Teacher of the Year (Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)
• 2009: Outstanding Educator Award (College of New Jersey)
• 2012: New Jersey Teacher of the Year Award (Daughters of the American Revolution)

Founding the Mahwah Mock Trial Dynasty

Beatrice is perhaps best known for founding the Mock Trial Team at Mahwah High School. Under her guidance, the team became the most successful public school program in Bergen County history, reaching nine Bergen County finals and claiming five championships.

Beyond the Classroom

Her influence extended far into community life:

• The Mahwah Project: She created this initiative to encourage students to research local history and participate in civic organizations, earning a feature on NJEA’s Classroom Close-Up.
• Art and History: Beatrice founded the Art in the Classroom program for Mahwah elementary schools and served on the Boards of Trustees for both the Mahwah Museum and the Historical Preservation Committee.
• Girl Scouts: She dedicated many years to leading Girl Scout Troop 851.

Upon her retirement, Beatrice was recognized for her decades of service with a Proclamation from the Township of Mahwah in 2017. She leaves behind a community enriched by her passion for education and history.

Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: [email protected]