At the celebration of life for Jean Beasley, held in April, about 200 people gathered to remember the sea turtle advocate, who died at 90 years old in December.

She founded the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center as a result of the sea turtle work done by her daughter, the organization's namesake. Karen Beasley died at the age of 29 in 1991.

Continuing the Beasley legacy, the nonprofit will not only thrive but also expand, officials said.

"Jean was very much a storyteller and a community builder," said Kathy Zagzebski, the center's executive director. "People would ask her what's her secret to raising money to build an organization like this. And she's like, 'I don't do anything; it's the turtles.'

"Well, half of that statement was not true because she was very much an inspiration and because of her character, her drive to build this organization from nothing. But part of that statement is true in that the organization that she built is lasting — and people love turtles here."

Jean Beasley planned for the center's transition long before her death.

"Jean had finally decided to retire at the young age of 85," Zagzebski said. "So she was allowed at that point. And in 2020, the organization conducted a national search for an executive director."

Zagzebski said she was lucky enough to have been chosen. She previously had been the longtime executive director at a seal and sea turtle hospital in Massachusetts.

"The organization was 100% volunteer until they brought me in," she said. "We underwent a strategic plan in 2021. Jean was an integral part of that. The organization was transitioning from a founder-led organization to more of a growth and professional organization."

The center now has six full-time employees, including Zagzebski, and two part-time ones. Moving forward, "We have a gradual plan to add one or two people a year over the next couple of years," she said.

But the organization remains heavily volunteer-driven. Helpers are always needed to clean tanks, give tours, patrol the beach — you name it.

The center's current location at Tortuga Lane in Surf City is a relocation from the original, garage-sized hospital building in Topsail Beach.

"This hospital was built by Jean when they quickly ran out of space at our original hospital," Zagzebski said. "We went from about 900 square feet to 13,000 square feet. At the old place, Jean and the volunteers used to set up tables with T-shirts outside to raise money, and people would line up around the block."

Each year, more visitors come to peek into the windows where the turtles receive their care and to ask questions. "So when Jean designed this place, she naturally included an educational hallway," Zagzebski said.

Increasingly, those visitors want to spend more time there. About two-thirds of the facility is hospital space, while the rest hosts educational content. The center is now looking to add a building to its front lawn that will accommodate more exhibits for turtle-smitten guests.

"We're really in preliminary phases," Zagzebski said. "Look for a request for proposals in the next year or so."