Beverley Williams

Beverley Williams, 82, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2015, in Norwich from complications with Alzheimer's and congestive heart failure. She was born in March 1933 in Norwich, the daughter of Andrew and Helen (Allen) Thorburn. She attended a one-room schoolhouse on New Boston Road through 7th grade, spent 8th grade at Norwich Elementary, and then graduated from Hanover High School in 1951. After a brief change of climate living in Florida, she lived the remainder of her life here in Norwich. Family left behind include her daughters Cindia (and husband Tom) Randall of Norwich and Tammie Williams (and husband Jeff Lawlor) of Spokane, Washington, and her son, Michael (and wife Kathy) of Snohomish, Washington, along with seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She is survived by her sisters Barbara Stebbins of McIndoe Falls, Vermont, and Sheila Labounty of Bow, New Hampshire, and her brother Mathew Thorburn of Portland, Oregon. She was predeceased by her husband Keith Williams in 2001, and her sister Nancy Huntoon of Springfield, Oregon, in 1990.Bev enjoyed spending time with her many friends, had a great love of all animals, and relished a good joke or limerick. She rode and cared for horses all her life and participated in competitive trail riding, some eventing and fox hunting. She was generous beyond measure, had an amazing sense of humor and a quick wit, was an avid reader, a hard worker, and a caretaker with broad shoulders for many lost souls, always able to provide that refreshing and unexpected new perspective on their troubles. She was strong and fiercely independent, yet sensitive and compassionate. She preferred to be outdoors riding or walking through the woods, working on her property, cutting and stacking wood, and greening up the roadsides. She would go out of her way to save newts and caterpillars crossing a road, disentangle hummingbirds caught in spider webs, rescue toads from the hungry jaws of snakes, and even cater to the mice in her barn. Her tremendous love of all creatures was incredible. A heartwarming acknowledgement to Shallow and Fleabag, her fellow vixens, for their unwavering care, fun and friendship throughout the years.In lieu of flowers or donations, please pay it forward with copious acts of kindness and generosity to all and, at her request, please stand up to bullying and model tolerance and benevolence always. There will be no service. Her family would cherish any special memories you might be willing to share about Bev which may be e-mailed to sharingbevstories@gmail.com or contributed to the on-line guestbook offered at www.sheafuneralhomes.com. There will be no service. Her family would cherish any special memories you might be willing to share about Bev which may be e-mailed to sharingbevstories@gmail.com or contributed to the on-line guestbook offered at www.sheafuneralhomes.com.