BEATRICE M. DIKE

BEATRICE M. DIKE CHARLOTTE - Beatrice M. Dike, 99, passed away peacefully Friday, July 12, 2013, at her home in Charlotte. In her own words, "I was born, I lived - gave birth to the best of 3 children - I died." She was born Oct. 27, 1913, in Middlebury, the daughter of Clifford and Maise Persons. She was a graduate of Middlebury High School. Her husband, Henry Dike; brother, Maynard Persons; son-inlaw, Robert "Bob" Wood; and grandson, Tyler Palmer, predeceased her. She leaves behind her siblings, Ralph Dike and wife, Kathleen, of Ferrisburgh, Rod Dike and wife, Kathleen, of Dennis, Mass., and Roberta Wood of Charlotte; 11 grand- children; 20 great-grandchildren; and five greatgreat-grandchildren. Henry and Bea raised their family on a Charlotte dairy farm. Bea worked in the fields along with the rest of the family. She always had a garden to help with the family food supply. She was a dedicated housekeeper, always on call for an unannounced visitor or mealtime guest. Bea was a member of the North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed the loving and caring friendship of many longtime friends. Her loving family, her friends, her neighbors, and her caregivers helped keep her life full of love, joy and happiness during her "golden years," as she called them. She loved the home Bob Wood designed and had built for her, the peaceful Charlotte country surroundings, bird watching and the wonders of nature viewed through the windows of her home. She especially cherished her many visitors, all the cards, letters and phone calls from family and friends. The large family gatherings at her home every Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas were special. At each one, she would ring a bell calling the family together with instructions to form a circle of love. She would offer her own gratitude for the day and then request that every family member carry on her wish that everyone live a long, peaceful and loved filled life. This longstanding tradition continues as generation after generation experiences the reach of her love, devotion and compassion for all things good, and her value system. The family would like to give special thanks to her caregivers, Brenda Armell, Jeanne Green, Ginger Armell, Selena Paquette, Susan Brewer, and Joan Stevens for all their love and support over the past several years. With their aid and hard work they made it possible for her to realize her wish to remain in her own home. Visiting hours will be 4 to 7 p.m., today, Sunday, July 14, 2013, at the Shelburne Funeral Chapel of Corbin and Palmer, 209 Falls Road, Shelburne. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2013, at the North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church, 227 Old Hollow Road, North Ferrisburgh. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Green Mount Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Starksboro. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church, 227 Old Hollow Road, North Ferrisburgh, VT 05473, in care of the kitchen fund.