LEE, Mass. – Beatrice W. Crittendon of Otis, Mass., died peacefully at Laurel Lake Center in Lee, Mass., on Tuesday, April 21, at 95 years young.

Born Beatrice Viola Wescott on Nov. 15, 1913, in Northfield, Vt., to Adeline Knowles Wescott and Edwin Wescott, she attended schools in Northfield and graduated from Baypath Secretarial College in Springfield, Mass. While working in the purser’s office at Norwich University, back in Northfield, she met her future husband, William Sumner Crittendon, of Otis, Mass., a cadet at the university. They were married in her family home in Northfield on Oct. 30, 1937.

As wife of a colonel during World War II, Bea created “home” for her husband and children at numerous army bases. Bea was a member of Eastern Star, First Congregational Church of Otis and many PTO Associations.

Mom/Nani loved flower gardening, bird watching, craft painting, singing, baking her delicious apple pies, dancing with Dad and making quick-witted jokes that would often catch folks off-guard! Mostly, she loved her family and friends.

Beatrice is survived by her four children, Marlyn C. Coffey of Otis, Mass., William S. Crittendon Jr. and wife, Sheri, of Crested Butte, Colo., Deborah C. Dutton and husband, Ted, and Laurie C. Nikituk and husband, Michael, all of Otis, Mass.; eight grandchildren, Kim Tonlino and husband, John, Kris Coffey and husband, Bill Rust, Steve Crittendon, Beth Glotfelty and husband, Jake, Bill Cade and wife, Doris, Ben Cade and wife, Lindsey, Alex Nikituk and Angela Nikituk; eight great-grandchildren, Jake Tonlino and fiancée, Kimmy Wilander; Luke Tonlino, Ryan Lolar Cade, Ashley Crittendon, Colten Crittendon, Nicholas Glotfelty, Julia Glotfelty and Madeline Glotfelty; and many nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and their families.

Bea was predeceased by her husband, William S. Crittendon Sr. on April 1, 1993; her granddaughter, Margaret “Meg” Cade, on Oct. 29, 2000; her granddaughter, Karen Coffey, on Jan. 31, 2001; and a brother, Darwin Wescott, and a sister, Almeda Baraw.