Beverly J. Merritt

WORCESTER - Beverly J. (Anderson) Merritt died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 98. Beverly was born on December 11, 1926, to Frances (Fager) and Earl Casteel in Des Moines, Iowa. As a child she lived in Iowa, Texas and Kansas. After her parents divorced, she moved with her mother to her grandparents’ farm in Miller, Kansas that Beverly loved. Her horse was named Fanny. Her mother died when she was six years old. She lived with neighbors Gladys and Ralph Sanders and then her Uncle, Reuben Fager, for a year and a half. Beverly was adopted by her newly wedded aunt Elva (Fager) and Frank Anderson from Massachusetts. She was welcomed to the most wonderful family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in the beautiful country town of North Easton. She was also welcomed by her uncle and minister, Reverend Gus Johnson, of the Easton Congregational Church, who also officiated Beverly’s wedding to Richard Merritt in 1945.

Beverly attended schools in Easton and graduated from Oliver Ames High School in 1944. She worked every job she could find, working after school every day. After graduation, she worked at the Brockton A&P Market.

Both Beverly’s and Richard’s parents had cottages on the beach at Chase’s Campground in Dennis Port. On a weekend vacation at the beach, she was whistled at by someone who turned out to be the love of her life. Richard H. Merritt was a young sailor with the US Navy. After a one-year romance, with Richard frequently absent with the Navy, he arrived at a base in Newport, Rhode Island. Plans were made to get married. Invitations were quickly sent out and a big wedding held at the Easton Church on November 3, 1945. They honeymooned for one night in Providence, before a week at US Navy Steam School in West Chester, PA and then traveling to the US Navy base at Norfolk, VA. Beverly returned to North Easton for a time while Richard traveled to California to join a ship in transit, eventually rejoining him in Norfolk. Richard graduated from WPI in 1946, was discharged from the US Navy but was recalled in 1950 and served as the engineer officer on the DDE Witek out of New London, CT.

After many moves and the birth of two sons, Glenn and Wayne, Beverly and Richard, who now worked at Norton Company, moved to Darnell Road in Worcester. Two daughters, Cheryl and Julie, were soon born. When Richard’s parents retired to Florida, Richard and Beverly bought their house in North Worcester in 1960. Then, Bev fulfilled her high school dream of fashion modeling and promotional sales at the age of 40 and worked until the age of 77. She also took 23 craft courses, including painting, sewing, rug hooking, cake decorating, etc. Beverly adored cats! “Mickey” was the first. Beverly had but many more cats along with a poodle named “Michelle.”

Bev and Richard loved vacations and travel to warm climates, including the Caribbean Islands, Florida and Hawaii. After building a cottage in East Dennis, many happy memories were made there for everyone. She loved long days on beautiful Mayflower Beach and nights enjoying Cape Cod entertainment. Bev and Richard could always be found following their favorite musical group and were among the best ballroom dancers in town! Bev loved to fill her car with grandkids for school vacations and holidays at the Cape. She was a kid at heart and the kids wanted to be with their “Grammy.”

Beverly is survived by her son, Glenn and his wife Marie of Worcester, daughter Julie Merritt, son-in-law Mike Conety of Worcester, sisters June Mentzer and husband Don of Worcester and Nancy Cudmore and husband Dave of Falmouth. Also, grandsons Harry Merritt and his wife Sarah of Cranston, RI, Dennis Conety and his wife Joanna of Worcester and Seth Merritt of Philadelphia, PA and granddaughters Suzanne Masiello of Worcester and Sarah Wreschinsky and husband Jamie of Oakham. She also leaves great-great grandchildren Gus Merritt, Ryan Wreschinsky, Isabella Conety, Gianni Conety, Lacey Masiello, Corinne Conety and Evelynn Conety. Beverly also leaves many cherished nieces and nephews as well as six half-sisters and half-brothers.

She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Richard (2004), son Wayne (2002), daughter Cheryl Conety (2013) and daughter-in-law Donna Basinsky (2020).

Calling hours will held be on Friday, July 18th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. Her funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 19th, at the funeral home. She will be interred with Richard at Bourne National Cemetery at a later date.

Beverly is now dancing again with Richard in Heaven. Her love and legacy will live on in our hearts.