Beverley Chambers
BRANFORD, CT - Beverley Arlene Chambers, 84, a former resident of Chimney Hill, died unexpectedly at her home Friday, December 23.
She was born April 6, 1938, in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, daughter of the late Norman George and Edith Marion Lees. Bev graduated from the Teacher’s College of London in London, Ontario, Canada.
After raising her family, Bev returned to work as a special education aide for the Cheshire Board of Education for nine years, followed by Echlin Manufacturing in Branford as an administrative assistant. Most recently Bev worked as office administrator for the Yale University Elihu Club.
Bev had a zest for travel and was always up for any adventure. In the 1960s, she moved with her young children to Scotland. Many family escapades were had in VW campers traveling around Europe and North America. No matter the location of family members, Bev would visit with a researched itinerary in hand and ready to experience the best of the local attractions.
Always seeking to learn, she returned to schooling in her mid-40s and was an early adopter of technology when many her age shied away from it. A lifelong learner and avid reader, she took up Latin at the age of 84.
Staying active was important to Bev. She played golf in her early years and skied up until her late 70s. In the Deerfield Valley, she skied at Mount Snow and at Haystack Mountain. Most recently she cherished her walks with friends and her Branford senior center aerobics class.
Despite her family’s brown thumbs, Bev’s gardening abilities often rescued fellow family member’s plants. She was involved in various gardening clubs and projects in Connecticut and Vermont. She was the neighborhood plant expert and skirted her condo’s rules regarding outdoor gardening.
The many facets of Bev included a love for theater and music. She never missed a grandchild’s performance and relished taking family to Broadway plays. The Shubert Theatre was a favorite and she volunteered as an usher to ensure she attended as many plays as possible. Her sensible Canadian upbringing was reflected in her wardrobe and home decor; fashionable and functional, she could be prepared for theater or trails on a moment’s notice.
Cooking for her family was one of her great joys whether it be traditions like her legendary haystacks that her family craved every Christmas, a unique spin on chocolate chip cookies or homemade ski lunches that were the envy of the lodge.
Beverley is survived by her children Brian (Kelly) Chambers, of Hood River, OR, and JoAnn (Tom) Meehan, of Orange; her grandchildren Katie Meehan, Thomas Meehan, and Dylan Chambers; along with her brother Rick (Linda) and nieces Emma and Kelly.
Relatives and friends were invited to a visitation on Wednesday, January 4, at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford. Donations in her memory can be made to Branford Land Trust at branfordlandtrust.org or an association of choice that reminds mourners of Bev.
