Beverly M. Stewart

DALTON - Beverly M. (Smith) (McVetty) Stewart, 89, formerly of Union Road, died on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at the Morrison Nursing Home in Whitefield after a long illness.

Betty, also known as Bev, was born in Lancaster on September 26, 1927, the youngest daughter of Thomas F. Smith and Elizabeth (Gallagher) Smith.

She attended a one-room school in Dalton before going to Dalton High School, then transferring to Lancaster Academy for her Senior year, graduating in 1945. She married George I. McVetty, Jr. in 1948. After living in Jefferson for about a year, they returned to her parents' home farm in Dalton to manage her family's farm. They raised their family through adulthood, where all three children stayed close to home, choosing to live on the property where their parents and grandparents before them had resided. After selling the dairy cows, they continued to garden and work the land and forest for many years, maintaining the title of American Tree Farm for some time.

Betty was employed for many summers cleaning the employee dormitories at the Mountain View Hotel in Whitefield, as well as housekeeping for people who owned seasonal homes in the area. Her husband George died in 1975. She later married Floyd Stewart of Lancaster, who joined her in Dalton. She worked with Floyd in his wallpapering and painting business, until he passed away in 1989.

She was involved in her community since a child, following her family's footsteps. She joined the Riverside Grange in Dalton, and at the age of fourteen, she was possibly the youngest member in the history of the Grange to attain her seven degrees. She attended 4-H, was a member of the Dalton Congregational Church, the Firemen's Auxiliary, a charter member of the Dalton Historical Society, the Ladies Aid, and a member of the Friends of the Dalton Town Hall. She and her husband Floyd volunteered many hours refinishing the hardwood floors in the Town Hall, and providing cleaning services there.

Anyone who was acquainted with her knew she loved to cook, and made sure visitors didn't leave without sharing a meal or some cookies warm from the oven. Gardening was one of her passions, always preserving vegetables, berries and applesauce for family and friends. Spring was a special time of year, when she boiled maple sap on the kitchen wood stove, sometimes peeling the wallpaper from the steam. Maple syrup and sugar were staples in the household. Betty enjoyed travelling, mostly to local places in New England, with her sisters and cousins, including many trips to Wells Beach, Maine. She also shared a keen interest in local history and genealogy with her daughters and townspeople.

Members of her family include her son, Thomas McVetty and his wife Nancy; daughter Terri Parks and husband Brian, all of Dalton; grandchildren Christopher McVetty and wife Gail; Eric McVetty and wife Michelle, all of Lancaster; Katrina Parks and Nathan Parks, both of Dalton; four great grandchildren, and one on the way; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Also, a step-daughter, Lucie Brown of Salem, New Hampshire, and step-son, W. Thomas Stewart of Mansfield, Massachusetts.

Betty was predeceased by her husbands, George McVetty and Floyd Stewart; daughter Rebecca J. McVetty; her parents and siblings; and a stepson Gerald Stewart.

A graveside service will be held Saturday morning, June 17th, at 11:00 A.M. in Cushman Cemetery, Dalton. Reverend David Abbot, pastor of the Dalton Congregational Church, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Dalton Fire Department, 756 Dalton Road, Dalton, NH 03598.