HARDWICK – Beverly Cox Pape, 94, of Hardwick, died on Sunday, Oct. 5, at the McLure Miller Respite House in Colchester following a brief illness.
She was born on September 3, 1931, in Hardwick, one of two children born to the late Matthew and Maude (Webber) Cox. She attended Hardwick Academy, graduating in the class 1949. Beverly continued her education at Johnson State College graduating in the class of 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in education.
On June 26, 1954, she married Frank George Pape in Hardwick where they made their home and raised their two children.
Beverly loved her long career in teaching. She started in a one-room schoolhouse in the Barre-Montpelier area, later she taught junior high for a few years before happily settling into teaching second grade at Hardwick Elementary school until retiring in 1996. She was awarded Most Outstanding Elementary Teacher Of The Year in 1984-85 Orleans Southwest District. After retiring she and Frank enjoyed their winters in Florida surrounded by many friends.
She was a member of Mary Queen of all Saints Parish in Hardwick, Court St. Veronica’s Catholic Daughter’s and the Saint John Crevecoeur chapter of the DAR. She will be fondly remembered by her many students, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Survivors include two children: John Pape and his companion Linda Berard of Hardwick and Ellen Pape Gilmore of North Port, Fla.
She was predeceased by her husband, Frank Pape on October 10, 2011, her brother John Cox in 2002 and her son-in-law Kevin Gilmore in 2024.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Oct. 11, at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church in Hardwick. A private burial will be held at a later date for the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Jeudevine Memorial Library, P.O. Box 536, Hardwick, Vermont 05843.
Arrangements are in the care of Dian R. Holcomb of Northern Vermont Funeral Service, 60 Elm Street Hardwick. Online condolences are welcomed at: northernvermontfuneralservice.com
