Beverly (Knoll) Schmitt, born in Hartford, CT on November 10, 1929, Beverly passed away peacefully on December 25, 2017 at the age of 88. The daughter of the late Beatrice (Schadee) and Charles Henry Knoll, Beverly was a resident of Atria Marland Place in Andover, MA, former resident of North Andover, MA, and a longtime resident of Glen Cove, New York. As a young girl, Beverly always had a passion for art and would draw while listening to her favorite radio shows. Beverly attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston, Massachusetts.
Beverly started her career as an art director in New York City. She met her future husband, Charlie through mutual family friends. Upon Charlie’s return from serving in Korea in the U.S. Army, Beverly and Charlie married and lived in Brooklyn, New York before moving to Long Island. Beverly did pastel portraits and also taught watercolor classes. Setting up a home art studio, Beverly taught art for over 50 years with students from ages 7 to over 80. Married to an avid sailor, Beverly’s watercolors often captured scenes of boats on Long Island Sound as well as their trips to her native New England.
With her husband, Charlie, Beverly created a business called “Garden Guests.” Charlie carved the pieces while Beverly painted the trompe l’oeil figures of jungle animals, pets, and children. Many of the pieces were used in prize-winning designs in Nassau County’s Arts Forum. A past president of the Aquarelle Society on Long Island, Beverly was also a member of the Manhasset Art Association for many years.
Beverly was predeceased by her beloved husband of 61 years, Charles W. Schmitt. She leaves her son, Gary Schmitt and wife, Alison Schmitt of Glen Cove, N.Y.; daughter, Laurel Book and husband, Gary Book of West Hempstead, N.Y., and daughter, Carol Van Doren and husband, Edward Van Doren of Andover, MA. She also leaves her grandchildren, Diana Corvelle, Emily Corvelle, Molly Van Doren, Benjamin Van Doren, Jay Ackerman, Brian Ackerman, Joseph P. Schmitt, and Elizabeth Schmitt; and great-granddaughter, Victoria Schmitt. She leaves her cousins, David Ritchie and Wendell Ritchie. She was also sister to the late Joyce Knoll, sister-in-law to the late Joseph W. Schmitt, grandmother to the late Charles G. Schmitt, and mother-in-law to the late Dianna Schmitt and Douglas Corvelle. Beverly was also mom to her two beloved senior cats from the MSPCA at Nevins Farm, Lily and Lovey. Lovey most recently joined the family after being rescued from St. John, USVI following the hurricanes.
ARRANGEMENTS: A celebration of Beverly’s life will be held on January 13th at 11:00 am at the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 N. Main Street, Andover. A period of visitation will be held prior to the service at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Beverly’s memory to the MSPCA Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844 or Bread & Roses, 58 Newbury Street, Lawrence, MA 01840. For more information or to send online condolences, please visit www.burkemagliozzi.com.