A caring woman who had a love for laughter and life
MELROSE — Beverly H. “Bev” (Howe) Rattray, 72, a lifelong resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at Tufts Medical Center in Boston on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021.
Beverly was born in Melrose on March 27, 1949. She was raised in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School, Class of 1967. She worked for several years for New England Telephone Co. and in retail at Pier 1 in Saugus. Lovingly known by all as “Bev,” she married Donald N. Rattray in 1973 and remained a Melrose resident her entire life.
With her love for laughter and a ready smile, Bev was always up for a good time. She tried her best to live in the moment, and found every reason to celebrate all events with family and friends. During the summer, she enjoyed trips to Merrymeeting Campground in Alton Bay for time spent on the boat, sunset cruises and a 4 p.m. cocktail. With Don, she was an enthusiastic New England Patriots fan and loved animals, especially her Great Pyrenees dogs.
After receiving an anonymous kidney donation, Bev held her family close and remained full of gratitude for the additional 10 years of life she was given. Bev’s family wishes that all would consider the possibility of becoming an organ donor to impact someone’s life as greatly.
Most of all, Bev loved her family. She was nearly inseparable with Don, and they enjoyed everything together from watching Patriots games to coffee time to dinners out at Grimsby’s. Bev will be deeply missed, but always lovingly remembered for her great sense of humor and love for life.
Bev was the beloved wife of the late Donald N. Rattray, with whom she shared 48 years of marriage. She was the treasured daughter of Virginia “Ginny” Howe of Melrose, and the late Donald Howe. She was the devoted mother of Kimberly Quan and her husband, Fred, of Melrose. She was the stepmother of Wendy Pena-Smith of South Carolina; Scott Rattray and his wife, Lori, of Northbridge; and Kelli Cucinotta and her husband, John, of Tewksbury. She was the dear sister of Valerie Dearth and her husband, Robert, of Lynnfield; and Bradford Howe and his wife, Cheryl, of Oregon. She was the cherished grandmother of Julien and was the step-grandmother of Alexandra, Victoria, Matthew and John. She was the caring step great-grandmother of Jamison and Liam. She was the loving aunt of Zachary Dearth and his wife, Joanna; Jacqueline Howe; Kaitlyn Howe and the late Nigel Howe.
Relatives and friends gathered during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, Sept. 2 and for her funeral service celebrated on Friday, Sept. 10. Interment took place at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. Gifts may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116 (www.diabetes.org) or to MSPCA, 350 S. Huntington Ave., Boston MA 02130 (www.mspca.org). To sign an online tribute, please visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
