Beverly M. Carter

Beverly Margeson Carter, aged 78, beloved mother, friend, sister and teacher, of Mont Vernon, NH, died of complications of cardiovascular disease at her home on January 7, 2012. Born in Cambridge, MA, to Charles E. D. and Edythe (Wythecombe) Margeson, Beverly was raised primarily in Malden and Melrose MA, but her most cherished childhood memories were of living in rural Sudbury, MA, during the Second World War, tending victory gardens, playing games of pick-up baseball and gathering as a family in the evening by the radio. A lover of literature and history, she graduated from Malden High before attending The Edgewood Park School at Briarcliff Manor. Beverly earned a BS in Education at Lesley (College) University and taught primary school because, much as she loved the classics, she loved little children even more. After beginning her teaching career at the Franklin School in Melrose, Beverly married and settled in Amherst Village, where she had three children before returning to teaching, initially in Hollis and later in Nashua, NH. Settling into first grade teaching, she found her calling: to create a positive foundation for children by instilling a love of learning, encouraging creativity and individuality, providing positive experiences, and building self-esteem and confidence. Her philosophy was that every child should know success and that everyone should cross the finish line together. An innovator and pioneer, Beverly helped deploy the National Science Foundation’s acclaimed ESS science curriculum of the 1960s, a program of units she continued to teach and enhance throughout her career. Beverly’s passion for literature and history from her own schooldays found its fullest expression in her renowned plays, literary and musical classics, which she adapted for 6-year-olds. She designed her versions to engage students in both the topic and the medium, and to build common purpose. A second marriage to her beloved husband, Richard Carter, opened new vistas and experiences: travels to Europe, Asia and the Middle East, which further enlivened her classroom; and a treasured family life, hiking, skiing and canoeing in the Monadnock region. Following the death of her cherished husband, Beverly retired after nearly 35 years of teaching, but kept a busy social life, gathering friends, old and new, at her home in Mont Vernon. Still traveling extensively, she continued to spend summer holidays with her extended family in England. She was an active member of the Boston Athenaeum and the Museum of Fine Arts, regularly attending and hosting friends to lectures and exhibits. Beloved for her generosity, wit, style, youthful spirit and joyful outlook, she lived life to its fullest. Beverly is survived by her three children, Charles, Jennifer and Geoffrey Denton, two stepsons, Phillip and Paul Carter, six grandchildren, her brother Charles Margeson, and many loving friends. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at the Amato Center, in Milford, NH, on Saturday, March 10th at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to local shelters and food pantries are suggested.