Beverly Jean GILMAN, nee Lessard, 86, of Arlington, TX, departed this world on July 3, 2026.
Born October 9, 1939, in Scio, NY, she was the daughter of Laurier and Ida Rabideau Lessard. She was a 1957 graduate of Scio Central School.
On June 28, 1958, she married Maurice J. “Sonny” Gilman, who predeceased her on November 13, 2023. Beverly worked several jobs while moving with her husband ’ s work but is remembered by many students as the smiling face in the cafeteria line at Scio Central. She was also cheerleader advisor at Scio for years.
She enjoyed bowling with her mother for many years and continued that with her husband wherever they went. She and “Sonny” traveled the world, visiting all the continents except the snow – covered ones as she was always quick to point out, “I hate being cold.” She was well-known for her cooking and especially baking skills and made cakes for more people than can be counted. Her most favored role was that of mother and she spent countless hours on the sidelines of her sons’ athletic events. She was devoted to “her boys.”
She is survived by her four sons and their wives, Christopher (Susan) of Hudson, NH, Tobin (Mary) of Arlington, TX, Gregory (Debbie) of Santo, TX, and Mark (Debbie) of Seabeck, WA; sisters-in-law, Edna Lessard of Jamestown NY and CeCe Morris of Silverdale, WA ; grandchildren, Nick, John, Kim, Candace, Andrew, Thomas, Cole, Bryce, Kayce, Vienna, and Cameron; two step-grandchildren, Rachel and John; and 16 great-grandchildren .
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Luella Gilman; brothers, Larry Lessard and Paul Lessard; sisters-in-law, Marlene Felson and Juel Lessard; and great-grandson, George Gilman.
She will be interred with her husband in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Scio NY on August 28, 2026. Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust & Embser Funeral Homes & Cremation, 34 West State Street, Wellsville, NY.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.
