Nancy-Beth Gordon Sheerr

Nancy-Beth Gordon Sheerr, 74, of GLADWYNE, PA passed away on September 26, 2023, in the presence of her beloved daughters, Melanie and Lauren, after a three-decade long fight against ovarian cancer.

Nancy-Beth was born on March 31, 1949 in Philadelphia to Jeanette and Charles Gordon. She was the eldest of 3 siblings. Nancy-Beth graduated from the Baldwin School in 1967 and went on to study Social Relations at Radcliffe College. She then earned an MPhil at Columbia Teachers College.

She served on various educational boards, ultimately chairing the boards of trustees at two of her beloved alma maters – Radcliffe College and The Baldwin School. As the last Chair of Radcliffe College, she was instrumental in the merger of Harvard and Radcliffe in 1999 and the formation of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, where she sat on the Dean’s Advisory Council until her death.

Her dedication to these institutions was recognized by her receipt of the Harvard Medal in 2021, given to those who have demonstrated extraordinary service to the University, the Baldwin School Legacy Award in 2017, which was established to honor an alumna who has selflessly given her time, talent and treasure to Baldwin that stretches above and beyond, and the Harvard Alumni Association Award in 2010, which recognizes outstanding service to the University through alumni activities.

In mid-life, Nancy-Beth embarked on a second career to become a trusted financial advisor and, later, an independent trustee. She derived great joy from truly getting to know her clients and their families. When not busy with her professional activities, you could often find her watching a mystery TV show, doing a jigsaw puzzle, or dancing to her favorite oldies music from her youth.

Nancy-Beth is survived by daughters Melanie Sheerr Backlund (Erik), Lauren Sheerr Beshears (John), her 4 grandchildren Charlotte, Parker, Sawyer, and Clara, and brother Tod Gordon (Adrienne). She was pre-deceased by parents Jeanette and Charles Gordon and sister Leslie Mayer.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday 9/29/23 at 11am precisely, GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S RAPHAEL-SACKS 6410 N. Broad St. Phila PA 19126. Interment to follow Montefiore Cemetery, Jenkintown, PA 19046. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either The Baldwin School (https://www.baldwinschool.org/support/ways-to-give) or The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study (https://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/giving ), two institutions that she held near to her heart and put so much of her love and care into over the years.

Family and friends are invited to her late residence on Friday following interment and Saturday from 3pm-8pm.