Beverly L. Farnham

Beverly L. Farnham passed peacefully to her rest while in the care of the attentive staff at Barre Gardens on April 22, 2026 at the age of 100.

She was born in Burlington, Vermont on January 16, 1926 to Lawrence and Genevieve Tewksbury. Beverly had the good fortune of joining the family of Lizzie and Francis Minott of Waterbury Center, where she was raised with "sisters" Alice Sweet, Marion Moulton, and Louise Welch, and many other children who found a caring home with the Minotts.

After graduating from Waterbury High School, Beverly pursued a remarkable career rooted in her deep and careful interest in human nature. She trained as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Mary Fletcher Hospital in Burlington, then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education from Goddard College and a Master of Science in Counseling from St. Michael's College. Over the course of her career, she worked as a group therapist and researcher at the Vermont State Hospital, taught graduate counseling at both the University of Vermont and St. Michael's College, and assisted in developing an original interviewing and counseling technique that was published in professional journals and recognized internationally. Her work earned her a place in Who's Who of American Women and Notable Americans. In her later years, Beverly found great success and camaraderie as a "Tupperware lady," due no doubt to her natural ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

Beverly married Donald Farnham in 1946, a marriage that lasted 27 years and produced five children whom Beverly referred to as her "kid-lets" in her writings: David, Nancy, Cynthia, Robin, and Brent. Like the Minotts before her, Beverly's home was open to all, and her children's many friends were always welcome for as long as the situation called for.

Beverly found great joy in the simple beauty of the world around her. She loved watching the songbirds drawn to her modest, well-tended backyard gardens and their vibrant roses. Whether wading in the cool waters of Peacham Pond or the Atlantic Ocean, she was a keen observer, often capturing her quiet reflections in many carefully typed essays. She expressed her love through the warmth of hand-knitted socks and sweaters, thoughtful notes, and the treats she baked for her family-donuts, muffins, and her rare, delicious potato cake. A woman of remarkably independent spirit, Beverly continued to mow her own lawn, including a treacherous hill, well into her 80s.

She is survived by her children, David Farnham and his wife, Debby, of Williamstown, Nancy Cutler and her husband, Bob, of Calais, Cynthia Craig of Barre, and Brent Farnham and his wife, Christine, of Essex; her adoring grandchildren Richard Craig, Heather Craig, Lauren Fifield, Nathan Farnham, Nicholas Farnham, Judy Cutler, Charles Cutler, and Chelsea Glowinski; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her precious daughter Robin Farnham, sisters Alice, Marion, and Louise, and beloved sister-in-law, also Beverly Farnham, affectionately called "Aunt Bev."