Beverly Graham Bates

Beverly Graham Bates, 92, of Newfane Vermont died on December 30, 2023. Beverly was born in Quantico, Virginia. She was the daughter of Isabel Myer Graham and Chester Baird Graham. Beverly was a longtime Resident of Newfane, VT, having lived there since 1963 with her recently deceased husband, Ray. 

Beverly is survived by her son, Philip Graham Bates and his wife, Susie, and children Isabel and Emma of Melrose, MA; son Iain Ramsey Bates of San Francisco, CA; and son, Richard Elliott Bates and his wife Stephanie, and children Hannah and Ella of Keene, NH; sisters Adele Graham Vaculik of Newfane, VT and Jean Graham Allbee of Brookline, VT. and several nieces and nephews.

She was one of the first women to attend Marlboro College (1950) and continued her education at Emerson College before ultimately receiving both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Boston University. She went on to a lifelong career in Special Education. She was a clinical Speech Pathologist and worked with many stroke patients over the years. She established the Bates Learning Center and taught Special Education classes at Keene State College. 

Beverly was an avid gardener, taking pride in expanding the perennial beds that encircled her home. She had a great love of theater and dance and was in the cast of many amateur productions into her 50’s. She was also an accomplished amateur photographer. Beverly shared a passion for travel and photography with Ray, documenting their regular trips to Britain, France and Puerto Rico. After retiring from Special Education, she established a shop out of the barn called Photographic Discovery to sell photographs and photography books. She served on the board of the Brattleboro Center for Photography.

She and Ray were indefatigably gregarious hosts. Their formal New Year’s and casual July Fourth parties with dozens of guests livened West Street over a span of 5 decades. Into her late 80’s, she and Ray welcomed friends and family to dinner several times a week.

There will be a celebration of her life at her home in Newfane on, Saturday, June 1^st at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers please give donations to the Moore Free Library in Newfane Vermont. 

Moore Free Library 

23 West Street 

Newfane, VT 05345