LACONIA ---- Beverly Elizabeth Jones, 93 years full of life, passed away on January 27, 2024, at Concord Hospital surrounded by her loved ones. She recently lived at St. Francis Nursing Center in Laconia, after living for many years on Wildwood Road.
Beverly was born at home on August 21, 1930 in Penacook, NH, the daughter of the late Robert Jones and Catherine O.(Sloane) Jones. She was predeceased by her siblings Roberta Jones, Mildred M. Hofstad, Ruth C. Pearl, Ethelinda L. Martorano, John Calvin Jones, and Robert K. Jones, Jr.
Surviving family members include: Kenneth Jones (Shirley), Madison, NH; Sylvia Rossi (John), Alto, GA; Cindy Lee (Tom), Golden, CO; Althea Peterson (Clint), Alto GA; Marjorie Lindt (David), Pleasanton, CA; John Jones, Concord, NH; Judy Iversen (Chris), Paso Robles, CA and several great nieces and nephews.
Beverly was very close to her nephew Ken and wife Shirley Jones and their daughter Robin Steward, her husband Mike, and their daughter Riley, as well as son Steven, his wife Heather and their children Caroline and Nolan. The Magic Shell, the book she wrote, is a legacy to the Jones family.
In addition, Beverly was predeceased by her lifelong friend Roxanna Jackson Tillotson and is survived by Roxanna’s children Peter Jackson (Kathleen), William Jackson (Mary Lou), Lyman Jackson (Katherine), Diane Tiffany (Richard), June Tillotson and their children and grandchildren who affectionately referred to her as “Jonesy.”
Beverly was blessed to have many wonderful and caring friends in the Laconia community and beyond.
As the youngest child of the family, Beverly was independent, inquisitive, and engaging. From an early age, she helped her dad at the family store and tending the animals at home. She adored spending time with her siblings, particularly her older brother Bob, who became a Methodist minister.
Beverly graduated from Penacook High School in 1948, Plymouth Teachers College in 1952, and received her Master’s in Reading from Boston University. She was a beloved elementary school teacher for the Laconia School District for 41 years in grades 1-3, most years spent teaching at Pleasant Street School. She retired in 1993, and continued to volunteer in local schools working with children, mentoring teachers, and conducting creative writing classes.
Beverly’s passion was teaching young children by cultivating their imaginations, challenging them to question, encouraging a love of learning, and having the unique ability to meet any child where they were and help them realize their full potential.
Inspired by childhood memories and with her creative energies, Beverly became an author at the age of 64. She wrote and illustrated the book, The Magic Shell. With it, she traveled to many schools throughout New England for signings and workshops while encouraging a love for writing in countless children.
Beverly was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Theta chapter, an international educational honor society; the National Education Association; the International Reading Association, and other professional organizations. Locally, she was the director of Laconia Endowment Educational Foundation (L.E.E.F.).
As a long time active member of the First United Methodist Church of Laconia/Gilford, Beverly was a devoted Methodist who supported her church as a Sunday school teacher, a coordinator for the food pantry, a greeter at services, and a participant in bible studies.
Additionally, she volunteered at local nursing homes sharing her love and passion for reading and the arts.
Beverly had many interests including art, knitting, reading, gardening, photography, skiing, walking, and traveling. She loved spending time with family and friends, a great conversationalist no matter the topic or generation. Her sharp sense of humor always kept the times together fun, lively, and memorable.
“Jonesy,” while fiercely independent as a single woman, loved her relationships and ties to her students, their parents, her family and friends. Though she started out as the Jackson boys’ first grade teacher who then lived in an apartment in their family home, she subsequently developed a very close relationship with the Jackson-Tillotson family through the generations. They enjoyed many memorable trips, holidays, and visits. She blessed the lives of all these family members with her humor, her connection, her devotion. Jonesy will always hold a special place in the hearts of this family.
In Beverly’s words from The Magic Shell:
Little things can be very big, big things very small.
A drop of rain can fill a stream, a cloudburst drain it all.
A smile, a hug, a breath of spring, can creep into your soul.
This touch of magic from the heart, can kiss your cheek with gold.
For love’s in many places, we know not where it lies.
Love’s in many places, a smile just never dies.
Her family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful care and attention she received from the doctors, staff and nursing/rehab teams at St. Francis Nursing Center and Concord Hospital.
Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 11 am at First United Methodist Church of Laconia/Gilford, 18 Wesley Way, Gilford, NH 03249. Services will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAS6EKWhhPs.
Burial will be private at a future date.
In lieu of flowers for those who wish, memorial donations in Beverly’s name can be made to support literacy, checks made out to Laconia School District via Pleasant Street School with memo Beverly Jones, mailed to Pleasant Street School 350 Pleasant Street Laconia, NH 03246 or First United Methodist Church of Laconia/Gilford 18 Wesley Way, Gilford, NH 03249 with memo Beverly Jones.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.