Beverly Jane (Smith) Herrick, a true warrior and beloved by all who knew her, passed away at the McClure-Miller Respite House on Friday, April 12 after battling both neuroendocrine and lung cancer for years. She was 84 years old. The family thanks the staff at the Respite House for their support and the tenderness with which they cared for Beverly in her last days.
Beverly was born on October 7, 1939 in Hanover, N.H. to Wardie and Doris Smith (Horton). Beverly’s early years were spent in Keene, N.H. where she attended a one-room schoolhouse. She had fond memories of walking to a house nearby, pulling a wagon in the spring and fall and a sled in the winter, to retrieve the hot lunches made for the students by the woman who lived there.
Beverly’s family later moved to Taftsville, where Wardie worked as a mechanic and night watchman. Beverly attended Woodstock High School where she excelled academically, played snare drum in the marching band and was crowned homecoming queen her senior year. Upon graduating in 1957, Beverly declined an offer to have college paid for her by a local family and instead chose to take a job as secretary to the principal of Woodstock High School. It was here that she met the love of her life, John B. Herrick, who had just taken a teaching job at the school. They were married six months later and had two children.
Work brought the young family to Burlington, where John taught at Edmunds Middle School. Beverly worked many years for the Chittenden Bank in downtown Burlington and made many close friends. After retiring from the Chittenden, she worked at City Drug and volunteered for years for both The Fletcher Free Library and the Ethan Allen House, both in Burlington. Beverly was a regular supporter of the VT Food Shelf and the VT Young Writer’s Project. She wasn’t a joiner — with the exception of her bowling league — but enjoyed hosting get-togethers with family and friends as well as reading, gardening, walking, and exploring Vermont. She was fiercely independent and cared for her husband during his battle with Alzheimer’s and Cancer right up until he died. Her love for him was unconditional and inspiring.
Beverly is predeceased by beloved husband John. Many fun times and memories were made during their long marriage. They had two children who are forever grateful to have had such loving, supportive, and accepting parents. She was also predeceased by her parents and her sister Margaret Wilson. She leaves behind her children, Laurinda Hulce and her husband, Barry; her son, Christian Herrick; and her grandchildren: Zoe Hulce, Gwynevere Hulce, Ethan Herrick, and Zander Herrick. She also leaves many other beloved friends and family members both near and far.
The family would like to thank Leon Emmons and his wife Linda for their support of Beverly over the years, especially since the death of her husband John, who Leon had been friends with since they were both 5 years old.
Special thanks also to Beverly’s niece and lifelong friend, Lois Silva, who spent the last few days of Beverly’s life with the family at the Respite House and provided more support than can be put into words.
Beverly will be forever missed. A small graveside service will be held at a later date to fulfill Beverly and John’s wish that their ashes be combined and then buried at Lakeview Cemetery on North Avenue in Burlington.
The family asks that donations honoring Beverly be made directly to either the Chittenden County Humane Society, The Vermont Foodshelf, or the McClure-Miller Respite House. Please visit awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.
