Obituary of Beverley Ann Kneeland

Beverley Ann (Wilson) Kneeland

Most recently in Burlington, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at age 88, at home.

Beverley (Bev) was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada in February 1938, the youngest of eight siblings to Eustace (Bud) Wilson and Charlotte (Legge) Wilson. At a very young age, she married Robert Carey also of Ottawa and had four children, Stephen Carey (Jane) of Attleboro, MA, Janet Hartford (Thomas, deceased) of Pelham, NH, Bruce Carey (Lorelle) of San Antonio, TX, and JoAnne Doherty (Thomas) of Beverly, MA.

At the age of 29, Bev packed up her family along with her husband and moved to Billerica, MA. It was there that she embarked on a satisfying and successful career, first as an executive secretary and then becoming the manager of her company’s employees’ credit union. It was there that she finally was given the opportunity to attend college where she earned her credentials as a professional in credit union management. Forgoing a college education to build and raise a family at a young age, she was extremely proud of that accomplishment.

In 1995, following the passing of her first husband, she joined a second family, marrying Russell Kneeland and embracing nine stepchildren.

Bev eventually retired in 2003 to enjoy her huge family and scores of friends from all over North America. She loved to travel but mostly she loved being around family and friends. Bev was very sociable, easily making many, many lifelong friends.

Following the passing of her second husband, Beverley met Charles (Chuck) Rogers and they quickly became close companions. While they never married, they were definitely a couple. Once again, her ‘family’ grew even larger.

In addition to her four children, she is survived by eight stepchildren as well as eleven grandchildren: Lianna (Hartford) Jackter, Andrew Hartford, Kelsey (Doherty) Barnes, Cameron (CJ) Doherty, Thomas Doherty, Katherine Doherty, Lauren (Carey) Knowlton, Eric Carey, Charlotte Carey, Catherine (Carey) Alvarado, and Samuel Carey, 10 great grandchildren, many step grandchildren, step great grandchildren and step great, great grandchildren.

Visting hours, 4:00- 7:00 PM, Thursday, April 30th at Burns Funeral Home, 354 Boston Road Billerica, MA 01821. A private burial will follow.