Obituary for Beverly "Bev" McCarter (Durfee)
Beverly McCarter passed peacefully at her home in Millis on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the age of 92.
She was the beloved wife of David R. McCarter and loving mother of Janice Pennini and her husband Jerry of Millis, Lawrence McCarter and his wife Joanne of Millis and Russell McCarter of Medway. She was also the proud Grandmother of Jason Pennini, Kenny Pennini, Jessica Barbato (and husband Robert), Tommy McCarter (and partner Tricia) and Tyler McCarter and the Great Grandmother of Nicholas, Ella and Kayla.
Beverly was born in Boston on November 14, 1927 to the former John and Mavis Durfee. She was predeceased by her two younger siblings, John Durfee of Cary, North Carolina and Jeanette Russo of Kingwood, Texas.
As a youngster, Beverly attended a 1-room school house in Peterborough, NH. Later, after moving to Lexington, she attended Lexington High School, played on the tennis team and graduated with the class of 1946.
Following graduation, Beverly began working at New England Telephone in Boston as a telephone equipment analyst; during this time Beverly met her future husband, David. They were married in Hawaii in 1950 and lived there for about 3 years, while David was stationed at Pearl Harbor’s Naval base after being recalled into active service during the Korean War. This past December they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary and started their 70th year of marriage.
Beverly and David moved to Medfield in the early 1950’s, purchased land in Millis in the mid 1950’s and then spent several years building the house where they raised their family and resided for close to 65 years.
Beverly not only enjoyed raising her family, but also loved gardening, taking care of her yard (including the mowing) and planting all kinds of flowers. She was an accomplished sewer and quilter, making slip covers for her own furniture, decorative pillows, pocketbooks, doll clothes, quilts and whatever else could be made with fabric. She loved reading books and frequenting the local library; her goal as a young girl was to read every book in the library. In her later years she continued to crave books and especially in the winter, when the yard was dormant, would often read 2 or 3 books each week.
Beverly spent many happy years playing both golf and tennis at the former Glen Ellen Country Club in Millis. She became a top-notch player in both sports and won women’s club championships in both sports.
She was a fantastic cook and had a bit of a sweet tooth: cream puffs, baked Alaska, Swedish tea rings, her famous mocha frosting and fancy flowers on birthday cakes, apple pies with wheat crust and lots of cinnamon.
Visiting hours will be at Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home, 15 Miller St. Medfield, MA 02052 on Thursday, February 27, 2020 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. During this time, beginning at 5:00 PM, there will be a brief memorial service. Burial will be private at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked for memorial donations in Beverly’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452 or to The Home for Little Wanderers, 10 Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135.
She was the beloved wife of David R. McCarter and loving mother of Janice Pennini and her husband Jerry of Millis, Lawrence McCarter and his wife Joanne of Millis and Russell McCarter of Medway. She was also the proud Grandmother of Jason Pennini, Kenny Pennini, Jessica Barbato (and husband Robert), Tommy McCarter (and partner Tricia) and Tyler McCarter and the Great Grandmother of Nicholas, Ella and Kayla.
Beverly was born in Boston on November 14, 1927 to the former John and Mavis Durfee. She was predeceased by her two younger siblings, John Durfee of Cary, North Carolina and Jeanette Russo of Kingwood, Texas.
As a youngster, Beverly attended a 1-room school house in Peterborough, NH. Later, after moving to Lexington, she attended Lexington High School, played on the tennis team and graduated with the class of 1946.
Following graduation, Beverly began working at New England Telephone in Boston as a telephone equipment analyst; during this time Beverly met her future husband, David. They were married in Hawaii in 1950 and lived there for about 3 years, while David was stationed at Pearl Harbor’s Naval base after being recalled into active service during the Korean War. This past December they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary and started their 70th year of marriage.
Beverly and David moved to Medfield in the early 1950’s, purchased land in Millis in the mid 1950’s and then spent several years building the house where they raised their family and resided for close to 65 years.
Beverly not only enjoyed raising her family, but also loved gardening, taking care of her yard (including the mowing) and planting all kinds of flowers. She was an accomplished sewer and quilter, making slip covers for her own furniture, decorative pillows, pocketbooks, doll clothes, quilts and whatever else could be made with fabric. She loved reading books and frequenting the local library; her goal as a young girl was to read every book in the library. In her later years she continued to crave books and especially in the winter, when the yard was dormant, would often read 2 or 3 books each week.
Beverly spent many happy years playing both golf and tennis at the former Glen Ellen Country Club in Millis. She became a top-notch player in both sports and won women’s club championships in both sports.
She was a fantastic cook and had a bit of a sweet tooth: cream puffs, baked Alaska, Swedish tea rings, her famous mocha frosting and fancy flowers on birthday cakes, apple pies with wheat crust and lots of cinnamon.
Visiting hours will be at Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home, 15 Miller St. Medfield, MA 02052 on Thursday, February 27, 2020 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. During this time, beginning at 5:00 PM, there will be a brief memorial service. Burial will be private at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked for memorial donations in Beverly’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452 or to The Home for Little Wanderers, 10 Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135.