Beverly "Bev" Jean Fitzsimmons Obituary (1937 - 2024)

Skowhegan – Beverly "Bev" Jean Fitzsimmons, 86, took her final ride on May 11, 2024, in a Life Flight helicopter to Northern Light EMMC in Bangor, where she passed on May 15, 2024. Bev was born at her grandmother’s home in West Forks, on November 22, 1937. The family moved to Skowhegan in 1945, where Bev graduated from Skowhegan High School in 1956. She graduated from Skowhegan Commercial School before enrolling at Farmington State Teacher’s College, earning her BA, and beginning a storied teaching career. Bev’s first teaching position was at Garret Schenck School in Anson, where she and Jill Miller became good friends and shared innovative teaching methods. From there, she taught at Skowhegan Jr. High School before her long tenure at Skowhegan High School. While working, she earned a master’s degree and a Certificate of Advanced Study. Bev ended her 35-plus year teaching career as Chair of the Social Studies Department (the Orange Section). She was voted the “Teacher of the Year” at Skowhegan Area High School several times during her career. Importantly, though, it was not just how she taught Social Studies, but how she helped students navigate the many obstacles of life as a supportive adult. Every school morning, she arrived at 5:30am to enjoy the camaraderie of her fellow teachers and to visit with students in the hallways. Bev felt that students should have a positive start to their learning day. She was an advocate for student opportunities, especially for women in education and in athletics, working from the inside to help create an environment where young women could succeed on a state and national stage (as any fan of the Skowhegan Field Hockey team can attest.) Even oceans could not stop Bev from providing students with formative educational experiences, as she chaperoned several trips to Europe. Bev worked tirelessly to ensure the successful futures of all students – in life, work, or college. Those relationships did not end when students graduated. Following her retirement, Bev did not relax quietly. She attended numerous athletic events, still supporting the students whom she loved (many of whom were now the children and grandchildren of her previous students.) She was a member of the Elks Club, the Wesserunsett Lake Association, and maintained a particular interest in town government. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Skowhegan Public Safety Building Committee and the Skowhegan Recreation Advisory Board. Bev was a member of the Federated Church in Skowhegan and enjoyed worshipping with Pastor Tim Curtis at the Solon Congregational Church. Bev loved her camp at Lakewood and spent many happy summers entertaining friends and family, with legendary Mother’s Day and Fourth of July parties. She was a grill master who took great pride in her delicious steak dinners. Sounds of laughter and boat motors would ring out over the shore as she took many children for water skiing and inner tube rides. Near the end of the summer, she would resume her role as Gate Supervisor for the main gate at the Skowhegan State Fair, where, during the span of more than 30 years of service, she renewed the thousands of friendships she had made. She was predeceased by her parents, Blin and Delora (Pierce) Fitzsimmons; sister, Sylvia Fitzsimmons; brother-in-law, Emery Slipp; close friends, Peter Finley, John and Syvia Finnemore, and Patricia Boyle. Bev is survived by her sister, Joan Slipp of Anson; nephews, Andrew Slipp and partner Gaby DeAgonia of Pawtucket, RI and Eric Slipp of Salisbury, NC; foster brother, Robert Lord of Skowhegan; foster sister, Debbe Holden (Conger) Murray, of Ellsworth; cousins Gordon (Carol), Gordie, Brandon Berry of West Forks, Ted (Debbie) Webb of New York, and other Berry, Pierce, and Webb cousins. Bev also held families of her heart, Donna Finley, Billy Finley, Chris and Mary Finnemore, Sarah (Matt Lee) Finnemore, Heather, Jeff, and John Johnson, Ron La Fratta, and Stuart, Alice, Graham, and Natalie Jump. Bev enjoyed an abundance of close friends, including Stevie Adams, Shirley Bennett, Marcus Christopher, Paula Doughty, Donald (d) Finley, Gavin Finley, Gary and Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Paul Gaudet, Sue and Art (d) McDonald, Steve and Marcia Meisner, Kala Murphy, Billy Pottle, Edwina and Tom Rosenbush, Don and Kate Skillings, and the generations of students she loved so much. At her request, there will be no funeral service or visiting hours. A celebration of life is planned for a later date in the Summer. Bev was a force of nature whose vibrant, fun-loving personality endeared her to her legion of family and friends. Rumor has it that one could not go anywhere on the East Coast of the United States without meeting someone who knew Bev. She was larger than life, and her light shone those around her. For those wishing to honor Bev’s memory, a scholarship in her name is being planned. Details to be announced later by her family.