Beverly A. “Bev” Thompson, 83

Beverly A. “Bev” Thompson, age 83, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at her home in Tupper Lake.

Bev and her family had been battling dementia and then breast cancer for the last five years. Due to the difficult times, the family will be having a Celebration of Life in Beverly’s memory at a later date with Pastor Dave Downey and his wife, Judy officiating. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Frary-Stuart Funeral Home.

She was born on June 5, 1936, in Chateauguay, N.Y., the daughter of Robert and Mildred Thompson.

Bev was the oldest of seven children: Jimmy Thompson, Robert Thompson Jr., Eugene Thompson (wife Meradith), Sue Thompson, Luanne Matucci (husband John) and Dan Thompson (wife Debbie). Robert and Mildred also took in fourteen foster children. Bev loved all of her family. Being the oldest, she helped and looked after all of them. She became very close to Ronald Denett (wife Robin), who was one of the foster children. They had always been in each other’s lives, helping during her hard times, until her passing. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother Jimmy.

In the 1940’s, the family moved to Witherbee, N.Y. where Bev attended Mineville School and graduated top of her class. She then married her high school sweetheart.

In 1954, her son Charles Jaquish (wife Mona Infantino) was born. Charles gave her three grandchildren: Melanie Toohey (husband Dan), Charles Jaquish Jr. (wife Paula) and Jamie Jaquish, and one great grandchild, Joseph Cyphers III. Through Melanie and Dan, she was also given four step-great grandchildren; Tashina Fox, Cierra Toohey, Chace Toohey, and Cody Toohey. Each one played a part keeping Bev home and caring for her. They all were her life, “her Angels.”

Anyone who knew Beverly also knows how much she loved and was devoted to them.

Bev attended college at the Harlem Valley State School of Nursing. She graduated at the top of her class with a RN degree in Nursing in 1971. Bev returned to work at Wassaic, N.Y., caring for the disabled. She loved her job and the people she cared for. Throughout her life, Beverly had always been an advocate for the disabled. Beverly moved to Tupper Lake in 1976, remarried and began working at Sunmount DDSO. She worked 35 years in this field, caring for and then teaching others how to care for the disabled. After retirement, Beverly married Richard Briggs and spent many happy years together until his passing in 2009.

Beverly was determined to be a strong, independent woman, which was not easy being born in 1936. She had a second home- “a love”, she called it, a camp on the St. Lawrence River. There, she was considered “the boss,” and enjoyed swimming, fishing, boating, chasing the geese with her Suburban and watching the sunsets. She camped there over 30 years. Beverly loved cooking for others, her baby dolls, driving fast, swimming, root beer floats, and of course her heartthrob Randy Travis. Most importantly, she loved her family.

Beverly’s biggest attribute was her love for her family. She loved and helped everyone with a special place in her heart for the disabled. Beverly helped and changed the lives of so many people. She was an angel and loved everyone unconditionally.

Donations in Beverly’s memory can be made our to the Adirondack Community Church, P.O. Box 207, Newton Falls, NY 13666.

Online condolences can be made at www.fraryfuneralhomes.com.