Bernice Marie Beckwith, a natural Bonacker and Round Swamp Lester who was born at home on the corner of Springy Banks Road and Three Mile Harbor Road in East Hampton, died on Nov. 12 in Southampton after a short illness. She was 97.
Mrs. Beckwith was famous for hanging her clothes on the line in the winter snow, barefoot, regardless of the many boots which were gifted to her, her family said. She would take every opportunity, even into her 80s, to go clamming at Sammy’s Beach with one of her sons or her grandson, digging clams with her feet.
She was known to pick beach plums at Maidstone Park in Springs and share her beach plum jelly. Her clam chowder was unmatched, her family said, and no one could make gravy like she did. Many meals were made from wildlife harvested by her husband and sons, and Christmas and Thanksgiving meals often consisted of goose or venison. Her Christmas trees were often cut in Maine and brought home by her husband after an annual men’s hunting trip to her son’s cabin in the Allagash Wilderness.
Bernice Marie Reney was born on Feb. 27, 1928, to Howell K. Reney and the former Rachel Lester. She grew up here and attended East Hampton High School, where she earned a varsity letter in basketball.
She and Paul B. Beckwith were married on Sept. 20, 1947. The couple moved to Patchogue and then Bellport, and raised five children. Mrs. Beckwith was a homemaker to her large family. “Bernice would tell you her interests and achievements were raising her sons, of whom she was very proud,” her family wrote.
After the family returned to East Hampton in the mid-1970s, she worked as a domestic for several notable families, including the Ford family and members of the Screen Actors Guild. She was especially excited to have met Paul Newman one summer while at work.
She was a president of the Ladies Service Club, which convened at the Neighborhood House on Three Mile Harbor Road. She wrote poetry, some of which was published in The Star, and enjoyed walking around her property and admiring the various plants that grew on it, including May pinks, lady slippers, and black-eyed Susans.
Mr. Beckwith died in 2008. Mrs. Beckwith’s four siblings also died before her. She is survived by her five children: Paul (Bruce) Beckwith Jr. of Montauk, Edward Beckwith and John Beckwith, both of Onancock, Va., Guy Beckwith of East Hampton, who was her caregiver for the past 17 years, and Valerie Beckwith of Naples, Fla. Seven grandchildren also survive, including Paul James (PJ) Beckwith and his wife, Marita, with whom Mrs. Beckwith was particularly close and who helped her in many ways, and Allison Beckwith Algieri of New Jersey, who kept vigil at her bedside toward the end of her life. She leaves 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
“To be able to witness five generations living was truly extraordinary,” her family wrote.
A graveside service will be held at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in East Hampton on a date to be determined.
Her family has suggested memorial contributions to the East Hampton Food Pantry, 159 Pantigo Road, East Hampton 11937, or easthamptonfoodpantry.org.
