Beverly Elizabeth Rayeski

Newmarket – Beverly Elizabeth Norton Rayeski, 88, formerly of Grant Road, died peacefully December 27, 2025 at Exeter Hospital.

Born June 17, 1937 in Exeter, she was the daughter of John R. and Margaret E.(Clough) Norton.

She attended Newmarket schools, leaving to get married and raise a family.

Above all else, Beverly enjoyed her family. She was known to enjoy planning and executing a party for nearly any reason, as well as summer holiday cookouts and birthday parties. Easter, thanksgiving and Christmas were monumental celebrations and she cherished every one. She loved any game from hide and seek with all the kids to monopoly with her dear friend Sylvia and card games with her daughters.

Beverly was known locally as the egg lady for a large flock of chickens, ducks and geese.

She always dreamed of having a small country store at the house. Her and her husband (Ski), made that a reality for several years running "The Purple Pumpkin".

Beverly welcomed any one as family, giving a home to several kids over the years. Her and Ski even hosted sailors for holidays, visiting from the Portsmouth Naval shipyard while their submarines were being serviced.

She loved her gardens of all kinds, flowers and vegetables, and was well accomplished with canning. She loved the Waltons and Yani, they were her complete comfort the past three months.

She was predeceased by her husband Bernard J. Rayeski USN Retired, parents John and Margaret Norton, and all her aunts and uncles.

Several years after her husband passed, Beverly, who hardly left New Hampshire, made the acquaintance of James Turnbull and relocated to Wisconsin where she lived until returning home in July suffering with Lewy Body dementia.

She loved the small town in Wisconsin saying it reminded her of how Newmarket was when she was young.
Survivors include her daughter Deborah Place and husband Thomas of Epping, daughter Cheryl of Culpeper, Va., daughter Heidi of Portsmouth, son Keith and wife Gina of Milton and daughter Rebecca Gatcomb and husband James of Newmarket. Her grandchildren Michelle, Michael, Angela, Chad, Jon, Felicia, Callie, and James. As well great grandchildren Elijah, Benjamin, Julia, Ryleigh, Jack, Owen, Paige and Trey. Additionally, Beverly had numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren. Finally, many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she loved dearly.

She was a life member of the Newmarket Historical Society.
A graveside service will take place in Riverside Cemetery in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, those who desire, may donate to https;//www.dementiasociety.org/lewy-body-dementia