Elizabeth (Beth) Cummings

Elizabeth (Beth) Cummings of 494 School Street residences died Jan 3, 2017 at UMass Memorial Medical Center with family by her side. Beth was born in Norwich, CT to Elizabeth (Noyes) Gibbs and Ralph L. Gibbs. She was proud of her linage tracing back to William Brewster of the Mayflower through her father’s Lillibridge connection. She contracted tuberculosis when she was ten years of age and was hospitalized for three years in a sanatorium for adults. Beth was fortunate to read many books. During her time in the hospital she corresponded regularly with the author of the Black Stallion, Walter Farley. She credits this to her being able to graduate with her original class members when she was discharged from the hospital. She liked to joke that she had something in common with Abraham Lincoln who had also had tuberculosis. Elizabeth was a proud alumni of Norwich Free Academy in Connecticut, attending many reunions and keeping in contact with classmates. She attended Connecticut College for Woman in New London, CT until she met a man who needed a horse exercised. The story goes that she and her Irish Setter, Rusty, would drive to the farm in her convertible to ride that horse, leading to her falling in love with the horse and the man who would become her husband. She married Burnett (Barney) B. Cummings Sr. in 1956. Beth worked for the Athol Daily News upon moving to Athol where Barney also had a position as a reporter. She then worked in a variety of positions for Mahar Regional High School-- most notably as a teacher' aid for 44 years. Her students had a special connection with her and would return to visit and catch up with “Mrs. C.” Obviously Beth had a love of children but her other passion was animals—raising Irish Settings, Poodles, Cornish Rex cats, Saddlebreds, and Paso Fino horses. She also entertained a menagerie of animals brought home by her own children—rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs and cats. And even a pigeon named Homer. She welcomed with open arms any animal in need of a home. “Paulette Revere” was very patriotic and in 1997 began to annual Fourth of July Parade in Petersham with a small contingent of family and friends walking the Olde Maids Mile in celebration of our countries independence. For her commitment to community she was awarded “Citizen of the Year” by the Petersham Grange. Prior to founding the Petersham parade Beth and Barney participated in many Minstrel Shows, parades, and River Rat celebrations throughout the years. Most of all, Beth loved her family. She leaves her three daughters: E. Starr Cummings of Athol, Stacey A. Cupka and husband Robert of North Andover, MA , Cynthia C. Hager and husband, Kent of Athol; two sons: Barney Cummings Jr. and Pat of Phillipston, MA. Grandchildren: Gregory Hager and Maura, Donald Hager and Bethany, Elizabeth Hager and Tony, Rozlyn Cummings and Steve, Jeffrey and Robert Cupka; step-daughter April Purpora of New Jersey; step-son Chris Cummings of Florida; one brother Dennison Gibbs and wife Margot of Norwich Ct.; one sister Catrina Noyes and her partner Susan Southall of Elmore Vt. Beth was predeceased by her husband, Barney Cummings Sr., an infant son, Robert, sister-in-law Arlene McCaw, and brother-in-law Ted Cummings both of CT. Elizabeth also leaves her dear friend, Eileen Perkins of Orange, and her beloved Cornish Rex cat CJ. Services will be held Sunday, January 15, 2017 at Fiske, Murphy, & Mack Funeral Home from 1-3. At 2:30 there will be a formal memorial. Following the service people are invited to the Athol Legion for a Celebration of Life with food, friends, and music. Please feel free to wear red, white, and blue, or something representing New England sports teams as Beth would have loved that. In lieu of flowers, donations in Beth's name may be made to an animal shelter or rescue league. Beth always signed her correspondence with the word “lovingly”. So just for now, we say goodbye “lovingly”. To view the online guest book or to leave a condolence, please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Rd. , Orange is directing arrangements.