Mary Jane "Janie" Beale

January 10, 1949 - August 16, 2019

Mary Jane (Janie) Beale, of Cahaba Heights passed away, Friday, August 17, 2019, after a valiant battle with cancer. Born January 10, 1949 in Louisiana, she lived in and travelled the US and France as part of a military family. Janie is pre-deceased by her parents Richard and Ena Futch of Birmingham, AL and her brother, Mike Cassidy, of Hertford NC. Janie is survived by her nephews, Chris Cassidy (Natalie) of Somers MT and Brett Cassidy (Kelly) of Cincinnati OH, five great nieces and nephews, and her Aunt Mary Jane Lee, Uncle Donald Lee and Uncle John Lee all of Wahiawa, HI. She is remembered as a champion for the many children she taught at Cahaba Heights Community, Gresham Middle, and Pizitz Middle schools over the past 40 years. Her flair for the dramatic made her very popular with her students, and she shared her love for science and her passion for the environment wholeheartedly. Her dedication to the students and excellence in the classroom earned her the Alabama Teacher of the Year Award, along with many other awards and nominations throughout the years. Janie was incredibly artistic and many of her co-workers, friends and neighbors were surprised by a beautiful gift given unexpectedly. She brought her creativity and excitement to the classroom, making science more practical and fun. Her class was a favorite of students and parents alike. “Mrs. Beale” never forgot a name, and always remembered her students with love. Janie’s passion for people was evident whenever she ran errands around Cahaba Heights, since she always stopped to talk with her past students and new friends. Apart from her students, Janie’s abiding passions were for the Crimson Tide, the elderly, and animals. She moved her aged parents from their farm in Aransas and cared for them at her home until their deaths. Janie continued working with the elderly in nearby nursing homes, offering her time and donating needed items to residents. Friends will be happy to know that Janie’s menagerie will be cared for; although the 5 foot Cayman, the goat, the pythons, the wolf, the turkey and its chicks, the flock of guinea hens, the pot-bellied pig and miscellaneous stray cats and dogs are long gone, her current dogs, chickens, and turtle all have found good homes. The family appreciates the support of Janie’s many friends and caregivers who were instrumental in her hope and determination by sharing their wonderful thoughts, stories and laughs during her illness, particularly Verna, Cathy, Debra, Rita, Carolyn and Wendy. Janie was grateful to have such joy with many children of Cahaba Heights over her career. A memorial service will be held at Rocky Ridge Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 11 AM on Saturday, August 24th, with Pastor Duwayne Pounds officiating. Internment of ashes will follow at Forest Grove Memorial Gardens.