Beverly E. Rich
January 22, 1920 — July 26, 2016
TEMPLETON – Beverly E. (Raymond) Rich, Affectionately known by many as "Gramma Rich", 96, of 51 Hospital Road, died peacefully Tuesday evening, July 26, 2016 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, with her family at her side.
She was born in Winchendon on January 22, 1920, daughter of the late Ralph N. and Myrtie M. (Kinsman) Raymond and was a 1938 graduate of Murdock High School. Beverly lived in Templeton following high school and was married to the late John Kosakowski. In 1949, she married Howard E. Rich, with whom she spent many happy years until his death in 1980. From 1981 until his death three years ago, Beverly’s soulmate and companion was Mitchell Menard whom she lived with in Baldwinville.
Beverly worked for many years as a nursing assistant at the office of the late Dr. Gould in Baldwinville. She was a seamstress and cake decorator creating many "Wedding cakes" for many fortunate friends and family, worked as a switchboard operator in the early days of Simplex, owned and operated a restaurant with husband Howard, Worked at Boing Aircraft in Washington State and happily worked with daughter-in-law Edie at Temptations Boutique in Athol. Bev was known for her beautiful artwork and paintings. At one time, she taught painting classes.
For 20 years Beverly, with her late companion Mitch prepared Sunday breakfasts and Holiday meals at the Snowbound Club, the Winchendon VFW and the American Legion. She and Mitch spent many summers at Crown Point Campground in Perkinsville, VT, where she was known as “Gramma Rich” making Sunday breakfasts for the entire campground donating the profits to the improvement of the campground. In her 70's, she rode across country on the back of Mitch's Harley Davidson motorcycle.
She leaves her children, William E. Rich and his wife Vicky of Gardner, Patricia Daigle and her husband Patrick of Winchendon and Thomas Kosakowski and his wife Edith of Baldwinville; a son-in-law Barry Morse of Baldwinville; a half sister, Mary (Raymond) Morse of Florida; 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter, Jean (Rich) Morse and three brothers, Russell Raymond, Gerald Raymond, Marshall Raymond and half sister Norma (Raymond) Cosentino.
Visitation will start at 10 AM followed by a brief memorial service at noon Monday, August 1st in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon,. Please bring your memories and stories to share.
Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Templeton at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Baldwinville Nursing Home Residents Activities Fund, 51 Hospital Road, Baldwinville, MA 01436 or to the charity of one’s choice.
Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.
www.stone-ladeau.com