Beatrice Blanche Capen, 81, of Stone Ridge

STONE RIDGE >> Beatrice Blanche Capen, age 81, died suddenly of a massive stroke on Oct. 25, 2018.

She was born on July 9, 1937, to Blanche (Gilbert) and George W. Newton, of North Granby, Conn. She began her schooling in a one-room schoolhouse in North Granby. She graduated Simsbury High School, Class of 1955, and went on to receive her B.A. and Masters from SUNY New Paltz. She began her professional career at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, rising to the position of Executive Secretary, but it was her eventual love for education that brought her to teaching and work in academia as Professor and Chair of the English Department and Co-President of the faculty union at SUNY Ulster. She received a special award from the Modern Language Association. Bea’s strong feelings for quality education extended beyond the college to the Rondout Valley School system. She was elected to the Board, serving for nine years, some of that time, serving as Vice-President. She was a Girl Scout Leader for her daughter’s troop, President of the Newburgh Lions Club (2007-08), a member of various committees at the local, district and conference levels of the United Methodist Church, and sang with the church choir. Bea was an avid reader, a NY Yankees fan, loved traveling and camping, as well as the annual family reunion at Craigville Conference Center on Cape Cod. At the age of 68, Bea surprised many of her family and friends by taking on the sport of sky diving. Her grandchildren and students loved hearing about this adventurous side of her. She was a dear friend and counselor to many of her co-workers and to those who knew her in support groups and fellowship groups.

Bea’s spirit of generosity and selflessness continued after her passing. She was able to donate her liver to a recipient in the Northeast and her bladder to Long Island for scientific research.

Bea is survived by the love of her life, her husband of 60 years, Rev. John E. Capen. She was a loving mother and grandmother, who encouraged the interests and pursuits of her daughters (her Little Women), Beth Capen, Meg Capen (Aerin Burke), Amy Capen (Mike Polcari), and Joanne Sorbello (Joseph); and four grandchildren, Beatrice CapenGuldy, Jacob Lovegren, John and Julia Caster. Other surviving family members include sisters, Marcia Martin, Cathryn Woodruff Grahn, and Deborah Newton McKeon.

She was predeceased by her sister, Phyllis Dauphinais Sheak.

A memorial service celebrating Bea’s life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, at 2 p.m., at the Rondout Valley United Methodist Church, 25 Schoonmaker Lane, Stone Ridge, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Marbletown First Aid, Rondout Valley Lions, Rondout Valley Education Foundation, or Rondout Valley United Methodist Church.

George J. Moylan Funeral Home, Inc., 2053 Route 32, Rosendale, is assisting the family with arrangements. (www.GJMoylanFuneralHome.com)