Ms. Beverly Rose Sella

Beverly Rose Sella, lovingly known as Aunt Bev, passed away surrounded by her nieces and nephews on April 1, 2023. Beverly was born in Manhattan, NY on August 1, 1950, to the late Edmund Rupert Sella and Virginia Mae Selby. She was the eldest child of Virginia and the only child of Edmund. She had two brothers, David Parker Selby and James Samuel Selby who both predeceased her. She was the epitome of the “Native New Yorker “, born and raised in Manhattan, NY. She is everything New York and made no qualms about letting people know where she was from. Beverly was raised in Spanish Harlem, where she attended public school #39. In 1968 she graduated from Washington Irving High School located in lower Manhattan, New York City. She spent her summer after graduation working as an Education assistant for the New York City Early Childhood Centers Program. Beverly was a champion and believer in furthering education. She instilled the concept of continuing education in her nieces and nephews. She believed that you could achieve anything if you are willing to do the work and educate yourself. She started college in 1969, and for the next 21 years, continued to take college level courses. On May 29, 1990, she graduated from Hunter College of the City University of New York with a degree in the Bachelor of Arts. May 1, 1978, she started her career as civil servant with the Defense logistics agency as an accounting technician. Over the next 31 years she increased her skill set and became a valuable contributor which allowed her to receive multiple promotions. In 2001 Beverly was appointed a Defense contracting officer for the Ground Systems and Munitions Division of the United States Federal government. For the next nine years she successfully and strategically negotiated military contracts. In 2010 after 31 dedicated years of service she retired from that role. She was proud to receive a letter from President Barack H. Obama thanking her for her 31 years of service. Beverly was the epitome of the cultured Native New Yorker. She loved everything Broadway, all types of music (except Heavy metal) and she had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. She would often take her nieces and nephews to museums, musicals, parks, Broadway shows, libraries, and movies. As an avid reader, who loved the writings of, Catherine Coulter, Danielle Steel, Stephen King &, JK Rollings. Harry Potter and Lord of the rings were in her electronic library, video and audio book collection. She loved Garth Brooks and often would take car rides with her grand-nieces and nephews and play all her favorite songs. Most of all she loved her family. Having no children of her own, she doted on her nieces and nephews, whom she considered her children. She was stern yet loving and had a wry sense of humor. She had an overwhelming compassion for those in need and would often help those she loved. Beverly lived in Manhattan until 1996, when she purchased her first home, (a co-op) in "money- earning" Mt. Vernon on Gramatan Ave. She loved the atmosphere of the small eclectic neighborhood and enjoyed being close to the city. In 2013 Beverly moved to Swedesboro NJ to be closer to her eldest niece Nichole. She enjoyed the quiet of the neighborhood but missed the sights and sounds of New York. Beverly lived in Swedesboro until the time of her death. On April 1, 2023, Beverly moved onto Glory, surrounded by her nieces and nephews. She was greeted at the heavenly gates by her mother, father and brothers. She leaves behind a host of relatives to carry on her legacy, Her treasured nieces and nephews: Derric Glasford (baptized Selby),Nichole Snyder(Mark Snyder) , Felicia C.M. Selby, Frances Selby, David V. Selby, Nikkeya Hamilton, Catherine Selby and Mary Selby; her sisters in law Juanita Rochelle and Deborah Selby and over 31 grand nieces and nephews. Aunt Beverly was more than our aunt. She was "our person." She was our world and our strength, our shelter when we were cold, our "pick me up" when the world let us down. She was a surrogate parent, an advisor, a disciplinarian (when needed), and the most loving person on the planet. She was the matriarch of the Selby family. We will miss her dearly. The family would like to thank Lisa Nuzzo, her trusted friend, and cleaning lady. She loved you and thanked you for everything you did for her. Thank you for being there for Bev. Thank you to Nico Stanford; he is the surrogate nephew she never knew she needed. Thank you for supporting the family and loving Aunt Bev. To her trusted Chaplain and friend, Carlene Hernandez, thank you for all you have done over the years to support Beverly. You have been treasured family for over 50 years. Thank you for your visits, prayers, and time. Thank you to Angelic Health. We appreciate the time and care, professionalism, and compassion you showed the family. Lastly, thank you to everyone who called text, and supported the family during this time. We appreciate you. Funeral Services will be private. Arrangements by McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Contributions can be made in Bev’s memory to the Salvation Army at https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.

Ms. Beverly Rose Sella

August 1, 1950 - April 1, 2023