1924 – 2016

AUBURN — Beverly Elaine (Mitchell) Bryant, 92, after a courageous battle with cancer, passed away peacefully at Hospice House in Auburn on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

Bev was born in Lewiston at Central Maine General Hospital (now Central Maine Medical Center) on Aug. 5, 1924, to Raymond and Beatrice Mitchell. She spent much of her childhood in Turner where she developed her love of the outdoors and an adventuresome spirit that she maintained throughout her life.

After graduating from Edward Little High School in 1942, Bev attended business classes at Evelyn Richard’s in Auburn and subsequently held long-term administrative positions at Brown Wales Steel and Snow’s Tire companies.

Beverly loved to travel. As a military wife, she had the opportunity to live in London, England; Okinawa, Japan; Key West, Fla.; and Virginia Beach, Va. She also often visited family in Texas, Colorado and North Carolina and, once, even in Germany, always, though, returning to her beloved Maine. She and her late husband, AI, along with a group of close friends, enjoyed RV camping throughout the country. Bev and AI were also active members of United Commercial Travelers.

Wherever she lived, visited or worked, Bev’s vitality and her love of people resulted in strong friendships that have endured over several decades. Her empathy and genuine concern for others manifested themselves in many hours of volunteerism and in her support of several charitable organizations. She was a devoted parishioner at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Auburn and served on its church committee for many years. Bev also loved her frequent get-togethers for bridge, “Thursday Girls,” meetings of her spiritual group, as well as any excuse for spontaneously socializing with friends.

Formal ballet lessons in her adolescence fostered a love of all forms of dancing that has continued to be a real passion in her life. Summers at Damariscotta Lake helped create an accomplished swimmer and canoeist, activities that contributed to a life that was well-rounded and well-lived. Family was paramount in Bev’s life. Visits and phone calls from her grandchildren and her “Greats” were a source of boundless joy.

She is survived by sons Scott of Falmouth, Brian of Austin, Texas, and John of Hickory, N.C., and their wives, Claire, Diane and Judy, respectively; grandchildren, Jeff Bryant and wife, Demi, of Boulder, Colo., Kacie Gough and husband, Brett, of Pembroke, Mass., Tracie Cravens and husband, Bobby, of Frisco, Texas, Jon Bryant and wife, Karen, of Denver, Colo., Ryan Rivera and wife, Nicole, of Austin, Texas, Adam Bryant of Washington, D.C., Travis Bryant and wife, Maura, of Hickory, N.C., and Lori Russell and husband, Bill, of Lynchburg, Va.; great-grandchildren, Kendall and Delaney Bryant, Finley and Carley Gough, Fairen Cravens, Jenna and Owen Bryant, Avah Figueroa, Sophie Bryant and Isla Russell.

Beverly was predeceased by her husband, AI; and great-granddaughter, Raegan.

No words can express our gratitude to the staffs of Schooner Estates and Hospice House for the love and extraordinary care they have shown our Mom during her recent illness.