Margaret M. “Dolly” Beckwith, 81, of Lake Buel Road in Great Barrington died Tuesday February 14, 2017 at Fairview Commons surrounded by her loving family. Margaret was born at her family home in Lenox Dale on January 7, 1936, the daughter of Henry Finnegan and Dorothy Donovan Finnegan. She attended St. Mary’s grammar school and was a graduate of Lee High School.
Margaret worked as a secretary at Schweitzer Mill in Lee, and sold House of Lloyd and Dutchmaid clothing. She ran a deer checking station voluntarily for 42 years for the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and was a selectman in Great Barrington for 12 years, from May 1998 to May 2010. She loved the people of Great Barrington and supported everyone who asked for help.
Margaret was an honorary member of the Stockbridge Sportsman’s Club, a member of the Great Barrington Fish and Game Club, the Izaak Walton League of America, the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, and received the Sportsman of the Year Award. She loved celebrating St Patrick’s Day with her friends and family, was very proud of her Irish heritage, and was an avid Red Sox fan. She loved spending time with her family and friends at every opportunity.
Margaret is predeceased by her husband Ernest Beckwith Sr. and her son James Beckwith. She is also predeceased by her sister Rita Marie Pierce and her brother Edward Finnegan.
Margaret is survived by two sons, Ernest Beckwith Jr. and wife Linda of Sheffield and Bruce Beckwith and wife Carey of Great Barrington; two daughters, Anne Ranolde and husband Daniel of Great Barrington and Laurie Beckwith of Great Barrington and her partner William Wilkinson, daughter in law Linda Beckwith of Mt. Washington; one brother, Thomas Finnegan of Lee, one sister, Eleanor Bartini of Lee; ten grandchildren, Ernie Beckwith III, Brian Beckwith, Amber Wilson, Henry and Sarah Beckwith, Jeremy and Camille Beckwith, Abby Rossi, Cody Ranolde and Amanda Seile, three step grandchildren, Tammy, Todd, and Stephen Ranolde, and seven great grandchildren, Katie, Leia, Sam, Erica, Matthew, Brayden, and Connor.
Funeral services for Margaret M. “Dolly” Beckwith will be held on Saturday February 18 at 10 a.m. with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Peter’s Church in Great Barrington with the Rev. William P. Murphy, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Great Barrington. Family will receive friends on Friday, February 17 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME, 33 South St., Great Barrington MA 01230. Expressions of sympathy in Margaret’s memory may be made to either the Great Barrington Fish and Game or the Great Barrington Fire Department in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
