Peabody - Patricia A. (Bardsley) Beckwith, 77, of Peabody, died on Thursday, April 23rd, after a lengthy battle with dementia. She was surrounded by her loving family. Pat was a resident of West Newbury for 48 years before moving to Brooksby Village in 2023.

She was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on September 9th, 1948, to the late Howard L. and Marjorie I. Bardsley. She attended Tenney High School, graduating with the class of 1966. After high school she attended Gordon College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education. At Gordon, she also met David R. Beckwith whom she married in February of 1971.

Pat began her teaching career in 1969 in Salisbury. In 1972, she transitioned to 5th and 6th grade at the new Rupert A. Nock Middle School in Newburyport, where she taught until her retirement in 2006. She held her students to a high standard, including having them make books of their own writing, which they presented at a formal Authors' Tea.

In addition to working full-time she was a devoted mother and grandmother, carrying her organizational skills as a teacher into her home. She enjoyed time at Salisbury Beach and Lake Ossipee, NH. She was an avid reader and a regular at the G.A.R. Memorial Library in West Newbury. She had a soft spot for animals, especially her Maine Coon cats.

She grew up at Grace Episcopal Church in Lawrence, was a longtime member at Christ Church of Hamilton & Wenham and was a founding member in 2009 of Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, Danvers, MA, where she served on the Hospitality Committee.

She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years. She will be deeply missed by her three children and their spouses as well as ten grandchildren who lovingly called her Nana. She is also survived by her sister Nancy as well as several nieces, nephews and in-laws.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Raymond and her grandson Jonathan.

Her funeral Eucharist will be celebrated at Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church,188 Elliott Street, Danvers on Saturday, May 2nd at 2:00 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, Ipswich on Monday, May 4th at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church Music Program or to the G.A.R. Memorial Library, West Newbury.

Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.