Beverly "Bev" Saunders

Bev lived a life full of love as she cared for and nurtured her family and many friendships throughout her life. She just loved being around others.

Bev was born on the day after Pearl Harbor, December 8, 1941 (her mother always said it took a bomb to welcome her to this world) in Murrysville, PA, the daughter of Marion and Marshall (Pinky) Hynes and sister of Marshall (Smokey), Jessie and John. Bev often commented she could never have imagined how blessed and full her life turned out.

After high school in Wilkinsburg, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Bev went on to the Shadyside School of Nursing and met Bill in February 1961, the beginning of a 63-year love affair. Bev and Bill were married in December 1961 and moved to Greenville, PA where Bill was attending Thiel College. Bev received her LPN and worked at Greenville Hospital as well.

The years that followed brought the blessings of son Scott and daughter Tracy and moving to East Hartford, CT for Bill’s job at The Travelers. Bev was always involved with her children through their schools, being President of the PTA at Penney High School and attending Scott and Tracy’ s outside activities of sporting events, dance classes etc. Bev was active and involved in her children’s lives and her local community including the family’s years spent at Burnside Methodist Church. In later years, they found a home at South Congregational Church in East Hartford, where many of their life long and Rotary friends were members.

Bev loved playing duplicate bridge with friends for several years. Those friendships and bridge playing continued for well over 50 years. As Bev got more involved with the game, she began teaching bridge at Manchester Community College and running her own game at the British American Club in Manchester and joined the Hartford Bridge Club where she served as President for two years. There was always a game to be found locally, whether it be on vacation in Fort Myers, FL or most recently online, where she and her partner, Vera, from Austin, TX would compete 3-4 days each week with pairs from around the world. Never one to brag about her bridge skills, Bev was a Gold Life Master rated as the 92nd highest Master point player in the state of CT.

Bev had a wide variety of interests that involved being with friends and family. She enjoyed ceramics, stained glass, golf, attending and watching her favorite teams: the Steelers, Red Sox, UConn Men and Women’s basketball, and Penn State football. She and Bill built fond memories with trips to Ireland, Scotland, and Spain as well as their many vacations here at home. She was so proud of her Irish heritage.

The joy in her life was her family, whom she loved dearly and cherished. Scott (Linda) , Tracy (Jack), Grandchildren: David (Katie), Kevin, Kristina (Arturo), Kate (Anthony), Nicole and Corey and her great grandchildren, Connor, Ella, Adelina, Myka and Dominic. Whether it was family get-togethers, visits, face time, trips to see family, Bev’s face just beamed with pride to think what her life meant in the eyes of her family.

Bev is survived by her husband, Bill, her above-mentioned family, her sister Jessie (George) and brother John (Violet), sister-in-law Robin (Lou) and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Smokey and wife Rita, Bill’s parents and Bill’s brother Jim.

Bev asked that we be sure and thank our wonderful and loving family; our cherished friends; Pastor Kevin; the Caring Group at church for their weekly cards and notes; Sandie, Cindy, Ellen; Anna and the staff at Nutmeg Home Assistance, Zofia, Anna, Elizabeth; Lisa and the staff of Hartford Health Care at Home; and Ben and Amber and their staff and the residents of Evergreen Crossings for their care, love and support.

Bev, most often seen wearing pink, requested that friends attending her celebration of life wear her favorite pink or another bright color. Calling hours and the memorial service will be held on Saturday July 26th at South Congregation Church, 1301 Forbes Steet, East Hartford. Calling hours will be from 9:00 to 10:30 followed by the service at 11:00. In her memory, donations can be made to South Congregational Church Memorial Fund or the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, CT. D’Esopo Funeral Chapel in East Hartford is in charge of the arrangements. For on-line expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopoeh.com