Elizabeth Beattie Bolevic

Elizabeth "Betty" (Beattie) Bolevic passed away peacefully on October 21, 2024, with two of her daughters by her side. Elizabeth, the oldest child of Harold W. Beattie, Sr., and Phyllis E. Willey, was born in Lyndonville, Vermont, on November 15, 1931. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she was raised by her father and stepmother, Catherine Beattie.

Betty graduated from Danville High School and continued her education at Lyndon Teachers College (now Vermont State University). After graduating, she taught in Burlington for several years. She then went to work for the US State Department teaching on Airforce bases in Canada, Japan, England, and Germany. She used that opportunity to travel through Europe, China, Russia, Africa, and more — places where young women typically didn't travel in the 1950's. Betty had wonderful, exciting, and scary stories that she shared about those travels. As one niece said, she was way ahead of her time.

When Betty returned to the states, she taught in Fairfield, Connecticut, where she met her husband, William Bolevic. They settled in Ansonia, Connecticut, where they raised their five children and she taught in the public schools for 32 years. During this time, she went to school at night to earn her master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University. On her retirement, she moved back home to Danville, Vermont. Her heart was always in Danville. 

Retirement didn't slow Betty down. She became active in the DAR, the Manor Vail Society at Vermont State University, the Retired Teachers Association, and more. She met weekly with her creative writing group, whose members became close friends. One of her great passions was family genealogy; she was a detailed and prolific researcher.

Her greatest joy was her family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren — reading, making crafts, baking, and mostly talking. Betty was a talented sewer. For years, she sewed costumes for her children for the Danville Fair children’s parade. Often, she won first place.

Betty is survived by her children, Kathleen McCartney, Karin Chesley, Kimberly Behr (Edward), and Bill Bolevic (Tara); ten grandchildren, Beth, Will, Maximillian, Zane, Indiana, Sonnen, Aragon, Zahara, Zoren, and Esme; great grandson, Xavier; and her brothers and sisters, Alice "Pappy" Farr, Martha Jane Kitchel, Mary Beattie, Thomas Beattie, Martin Beattie, Marion Cairns, Holly Beattie, Marilyn "Gilly" Beattie, and Catherine "Kitty" Toll, and her many nieces and nephews. Betty was predeceased by her husband, William A. Bolevic, Sr.; son James J. Bolevic; brothers, William Beattie, Robert Beattie, Donald Beattie, and Harold "Occie" Beattie, Jr. 

A celebration of Betty's life will be held at the Danville Congregational Church, Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. A private burial will take place at the convenience of the family.

Memories and condolences may be shared with family at CaledoniaLifeServices.com.