Beverly J. Jessup

Beverly June Milgate Jessup, 73, of Marblehead, passed away at her home on July 28, 2015. Our Mum was born on June 21, 1942 in Niskayuna, NY and spent her childhood in Schenectady, NY with her loving parents, Helen Aleta Price Kimball Milgate and Robert White Milgate, Sr., and three siblings; Robert White Milgate, Jr. (whose wife, Astrida, became like a sister), Melvin George Milgate (whose wife, Donna, Mum adored), and Barbara Jean Milgate Stenzel (whose husband, Michael, fit into our family like a missing puzzle piece) who were all closer than peas in a pod.

Mum married at 18 and had us, Katherine Lea Jessup Knight and Kimberly Anne Jessup Vaillancourt in short order. Married for just 10 years, Mum did the unthinkable for a woman in 1969 and left her husband with both of us in the station wagon and set out on a new life. She was brave beyond her years.

Mum was amazing. She worked non-stop to make sure that we had everything we needed. She drove school busses, ambulances, and 18-wheeled big rigs. She worked as a court clerk, secretary to company presidents and transcribed books at 120 words per minute. The two jobs of which she was most proud, besides the big rig, were working for Barney Rabin Printing Company here in Marblehead where she got to work with Kat, met life-long friends and the love of her life, Ronald Webber, who predeceased her, and Doyle Sailmakers where she got to work with Kim.

Mum was a devout Red Sox fan and 40+-year card carrying member of Red Sox Nation. We're pretty sure that her happiest moments, besides watching us marry and have children, were seeing the Sox win three World Series. For her 70th birthday, Mum was able to tick another thing off of her bucket list. She made it to Fenway Park for the first and only time.

Mum's greatest joys, beside us girls, were her grandchildren; John Lawrence Knight, III (Jake), Jackson Lea Knight, William Quinby Vaillancourt (Wil), and Michael Joseph Vaillancourt (Joey). Mum had many nieces and nephews whom she treasured, but was closest to three who weren't related by blood but by love; Brandon Pettersen, Keely Mae Gilmartin, and Zachary Welch. To say that she loved her son-in-law, Ronald Knight, isn't enough. Ronny was the son she never had. And, when Kim found her love and fiancé, Todd Beatty, Mum was blessed with two beautiful granddaughters, Sara and Lauren Beatty.

Mum died peacefully in her sleep in her adopted home town of Marblehead. She will forever be remembered by those she loved in every wave that hits the shore, every seagull that flies overhead, whenever we hear Yanni or Josh, and with every pitch at Fenway Park. Go Sox!

A memorial service for Mum will take place on Friday, August 28 at 3 p.m. at Chandler Hovey Park, Marblehead's Lighthouse. All are welcome to attend. Arrangements by Eustis and Cornell of Marblehead.