Beverly Gomez

Beverly Mary (Blanchard) Gomez passed away on August 19, 2016 at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington following an unexpected medical injury. She was born on August 22, 1933 in Amherst, NH. She was the eldest daughter of Alice (Wall) and Herman Blanchard. She spent her early life in the Montpelier area where she met, and married, her husband Richard in 1952. First and foremost, Bev loved her family. Her husband, Richard (Chine) and two sons, Michael and David Gomez, were her first priorities through their entire lives. In their later years when they became ill, their needs came above her own. When she was left with no choice but to move her husband into a nursing home, she was there every day until he fell asleep at night. When her older son became bed ridden, she slept on the couch for years in case he might need something during the night. The majority of her working career was spent in a secretarial capacity. It began when she worked for the State of Vermont in Montpelier and continued through years as an Executive Secretary for IBM. After retiring from IBM, Bev began a second career but one that was never “work” to her. She opened “The Joy of Giving” in Essex Junction. Through her shop she spent many years expressing her creative passion. In addition to the actual store where she sold antiques, estate jewelry, and flowers, she provided interior decorating, personal shopping for others, and wedding planning. One wedding for which she did the design, flowers, and all decorating was held on a ferry boat in Burlington. She talked about that wedding for years. She was the definition of caregiver. From helping others through her Joy of Giving, doing what she could to help her siblings, and always taking care of her immediate family. She will be remembered most lovingly for all the lives she touched. To Bev everything was an adventure. It could be a ride to look at the mountains, eating a creemee, or even a trip to the grocery store. She could always bring a smile to your face and light up the room with her kindness and spirit. She always had a small dog at her feet or following her everywhere she went. She adored each and every dog that passed through her life. Beverly is survived by her brother Robert Blanchard and many beloved nieces and nephews including Laura Harding, who was like a daughter to her, Lara Anderson, Randy Blanchard, Betty Blanchard, Jody Blanchard-Bowley, Tammy Wooton as well as two especially dear friends Sohaila and Linda. She was predeceased by her husband Richard and both sons, Michael Gomez and David Gomez as well as five of her siblings. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday August 27, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church with Reverend Charles Ranges, SSE officiating. This will be a celebration of her life and return to her family whom she missed dearly. May they spend eternity as the happy family they were on this earth.