Florence H. Beebe

SHAFTSBURY - Florence H. Beebe, 83, widow of Winston E. Beebe, a longtime resident of Sycamore Lane, Shaftsbury, died May 14, 2011, at Albany Medical Center, following a brief illness.

Born in Poultney August 5, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Solon and Florence (Ranney) Sherman. Florence received her early education in the Poultney schools and was a graduate of Castleton State Teachers College.

Florence and Winston were married August 9, 1947, in Fair Haven. Mr. Beebe died September 27, 1995.

Florence began her 40-year teaching career in both the Snow School and Depot School in Shaftsbury. She later taught for a few years at Pownal Elementary School before becoming the first grade teacher at the North Bennington Elementary School where she taught for many years until her retirement in 1988.

While raising her sons, Florence served as a Cub Scout den mother and was active in the NorShaft Little League. She was also a member of the Shaftsbury Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and volunteer at the Bennington Museum.

For several years, Florence was deeply involved with many projects in the town clerk's office, from helping to computerize the vital records to her final project of helping chart and map all burials in the Shaftsbury cemeteries. Due to Florence's efforts, books are now on file in the town clerk's office that lists every veteran that is buried in Shaftsbury's cemeteries.

Together with Town Clerk Judy Stratton, Florence was recognized by both President Barack Obama and Governor James Douglas in 2010 for their efforts in the comprehensive cataloguing and historical annotating of veterans graves in the Shaftsbury cemeteries. The Shaftsbury Board of Selectmen also recognized Florence for this outstanding achievement at the March 2011 Shaftsbury Town Meeting.

Florence had an extreme passion for genealogy and was called on by many friends and family for assistance in searching their family roots. She enjoyed time spent with her children and grandchildren and looked forward to her monthly luncheons with her brothers, sisters and cousins.

Survivors include two sons, Alan R. Beebe and his wife Denise of Wallingford and Brian S. Beebe and his partner Danielle Colvin of Shaftsbury; six grandchildren, Jessica, Laurie and Timothy Beebe, Max Beebe, Brianna and Christian Colvin; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Solon Sherman of Hartford, N.Y., and Charles Sherman of Granville, N.Y.; three sisters, Dorothy Mitchell of West Pawlet, Carole Causey of West Monroe, La., and Hilda Bellot of Gainesville, Fla.; several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her husband, Florence was predeceased by two sisters, Priscilla Roof and Marilyn Fuquay.

At Florence's request, there will be no funeral services held.

Private committal services will be held in Center Shaftsbury Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions in Florence Beebe's memory may be made to the Town of Shaftsbury where they will be placed in a special fund to be solely used for a special project in the town cemeteries that would honor Florence's dedication, or the Bennington Rescue Squad. Donations may be sent in c/o Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St., Bennington, VT 05201.

Guest book condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net.