WISCASSET — Holiday Thompson Beverage died at her home in Wiscasset on June 19, 2024. Holly, as she was affectionately known throughout her life, was born on Memorial Day, May 30, 1944, in New York City to Dr. Robert and Martha Rose Thompson.

Holly spent her formative years in Swampscott, Massachusetts, before attending Bates College and the University of Maine. At Bates she met her husband, Lyford; they married on October 19, 1962, and settled after college in Pittsfield, Maine, to raise their five children. Holly was driven by her desire to do everything right, and that guiding principle led her in her work, play, and in her treatment of others. She approached people with honesty, dignity, and respect.

Holly’s greatest joy was the time she spent with her family. From summers spent on North Haven, where she made the best raspberry pie and complained about the hand she was dealt in cards, to the big house in Pittsfield, where she could sit on the porch and watch her children and grandchildren play in the park and where the cookie jar was always full with freshly made chocolate chip cookies, she loved being around her family. Often that family extended to others who were living at the house, including relatives or students from the dormitory at the local school. She made everyone feel welcome and loved.

Holly loved adventures with Lyford and had recently traveled to the Grand Canyon, London, and France. She was an accomplished knitter and quilter, and often made sweaters and quilts as graduation and baby gifts. She was a voracious reader and loved any kind of word or logic game. Although she and Lyford lived in Florida during the winter after retiring, they were always in Maine before and after Christmas, so they didn’t miss any events that involved their children and grandchildren.

In her professional life, Holly was a born leader and teacher whose love for all children was contagious. She regularly challenged her students to seek excellence in their efforts and continually worked to improve the school experience for all students. She was a mentor, a coach, and an advocate for schools and kids. Holly taught a variety of disciplines including French, reading, high school English, and middle school language arts before transitioning into administration as an assistant principal, principal, and curriculum coordinator. She claimed that every day was an adventure and loved encouraging inquisitive minds.

But her professional career was in some ways overshadowed by her activities in her town and church. She was a member of several community clubs, served on numerous municipal committees, played the organ and piano for her church, ran the summer swimming pool, and organized the summer recreation softball league so that girls would have the benefit of competition and activity. Holly also found time to serve as the local reporter for the Bangor paper covering municipal actions, community affairs, and school board meetings while at the same time writing about local businesses and the people behind them. In between those various endeavors, somehow Holly found the energy and time to complete her CAS degree, an accomplishment providing her and her family with great pride and satisfaction.

Holly is survived by her husband of nearly 62 years, Lyford Beverage; five children, Lyford Jr. and wife Lori, Martha Black and husband Mitchell, Robert and wife Kathy, Nancy Hughes and husband Greg, Scott and wife Bonnie. Holly proudly reminded everyone she was blessed with 14 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

Holly is also survived by her brother, Joe (Edie) Thompson of Asheville, North Carolina, and her sister, Carol (Chuck) Thompson of Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Holly’s extended family includes many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins across the country.

A church service will be held on July 5, 2024, at 11 a.m., at the Pulpit Harbor Church on North Haven Island followed by a burial at Fuller Cemetery. Holly’s colleagues and friends are welcome at the July 5 service, but there will be a celebration of Holly’s marvelous journey on July 16, at 7 p.m., at the First Congregational Church in Pittsfield, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Pulpit Harbor Church, ℅ Candace Brown, 1 Smith St, North Haven, ME 04853.

To share a memory or story with Holly’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com