Neda Kolega Beal passed away peacefully on March 9, 2022 in her home in Irmo, South Carolina. Neda was born April 1, 1954 in Queens, New York to Dr. and Mrs. Bruno and Dušanka Kolega. Neda, along with her two younger sisters, Anna (Kolega) Colopy and Kathryn (Kolega) Parker, was blessed to be raised by loving parents of Croatian ancestry who instilled the importance of faith, family, education and her Croatian heritage. She was a first generation American, born shortly after her parents immigrated to the United States. This perspective shaped the way she viewed the world and fostered her deep appreciation for others. She valued people and chose to see the good in them, regardless of circumstance.

She was raised in Camp Springs, Maryland where she attended La Reine High School, an all-girls Catholic school. She graduated from Georgetown University with a BS in French and from George Washington University with a MBA in International Business. Like her parents, she had a love of history, politics and travel. With her adventurous nature, she studied abroad in both Dijon and Nice, France. It also led her to meet her husband, Walt, on a ski trip in Killington, Vermont. They married on September 8, 1979 in Camp Springs, Maryland.

Neda had a gift for engaging with people, young and old - from teaching High School French in Valdosta, Georgia where she was named Teacher of the Year by her own students, to her career in banking where co-workers expressed their gratitude for her mentorship and expertise. Neda was excited to be on the Boards of the SC Council on Economic Education as well as Columbia’s Capital Rotary Club. As a Rotarian, she was a Paul Harris Fellow, twice honored as Rotarian of the Year, helped establish and grow the college Rotaract group, and aided in the construction of a school in Kenya. She led by example, as volunteerism and being actively involved in her community were an essential part of who she was and what she instilled in her children.

Neda treasured her relationships with her sisters and her life-long friendships from high school, college and beyond. There was always engaging conversation, honest laughter, and a genuine interest in getting to know you. Neda thrived on meeting and building relationships with people, whether through work, community, sport or otherwise. With her beaming smile, she could so effortlessly attract the company of others. Each friend was a blessing in her life, and she hoped to return the favor.

Neda and Walt enjoyed traveling especially to the beach where many fond memories were made. They have taken many trips in recent years with friends and loved the camaraderie. Perhaps their favorite adventure was moving to Lake Murray in 2019 shortly after Neda retired from a nearly 40-year career in banking. She and Walt had always desired to live on the water, and they found their paradise here.

Above all, Neda was proud of her daughter, Stephanie Tedford (Brody) and son, Mark Beal (Lindsay) and adored her grandsons, Bennett and Grant. They and their families brought her great joy, and she was at peace knowing they had found their places in life. She loved being a grandmother, or NooNoo as Bennett affectionately called her.

In October 2020, Neda was diagnosed with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma brain tumor, an aggressive cancer with no cure. True to her spirit, she said in the early days how she felt so blessed and that she hoped God used her in a way that would go on to help others. She fought courageously for nearly 18 months, undergoing two surgeries and countless treatments. During these months and until her final breath, Neda felt the love and support of so many people that she had formed relationships with during her lifetime. The family would also like to express our deepest gratitude to Neda’s compassionate caregivers, with special thanks to Frances Lorick and Angela Burden.

A Catholic Mass service will be held at 10:30 on Saturday, April 9 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 195 Amicks Ferry Rd, Chapin, SC 29036. A Celebration of Life reception will immediately follow at the Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Columbia Capital Rotary Club, PO Box 11946, Columbia, SC 29211 or The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University, DUMC Box 3624, Durham, NC 27710. Please note “In Memory of Neda Beal”

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Here is a link to the above Obituary which can be shared: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/thestate/name/neda-beal-obituary?n=neda-beal&pid=201636032

For anyone who is able, we'd love to see you at the Celebration of Life on April 9.