Beverly Ann Boales Hiatt, 86, of Woodstock Valley, Connecticut, was born November 19, 1937, in Daytona Beach, Florida, and died peacefully on March 18, 2024, at MeadowBrook in Granby, Connecticut. She was the wife of the late John Stephen Hiatt, and daughter of the late Maxwell Lee and Josephine Carter Boales. In the latter half of her life, she lived with her dear, longtime partner, the late MaryEllen Dee, in their lakeside log home in Woodstock Valley. Beverly is survived by her brother Maxwell Boales and his wife Barbara, and sister Geraldine Rairigh of Florida; her children Sheryl Lynn Pitt and husband Jon of North Carolina, John Michael Hiatt and wife Roberta of Connecticut, Laura Lee McPherson and husband Scott of Connecticut, and James Carter Hiatt and wife Amie of Massachusetts; beloved children of her partner, Linda Spirko and fiancé William of Massachusetts, and Richard Dee and wife Chris of North Carolina; grandchildren Tyler, Michael, Sarah, Samantha, Sophie, Steven, Billy, Madison, Jayne, Maylee, Max, Jessica, Emma, and Peyton; and great grandchildren Levi, Luke, Parker, Beckett, and Cassia.

She was a graduate of Seabreeze High in Daytona Beach, FL, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Florida, Class of 1959. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and was selected as one of the Outstanding Young Women of America for her achievements. She then taught elementary school at Pine Hills School in Orlando, FL, was a homemaker for many years, went back to school to learn computer programming, and worked as Senior Systems Analyst at Aetna in Hartford, CT, until her retirement. During retirement she and MaryEllen founded Hummingbird Handicrafts embroidering hats, shirts, bags and other items for schools, teams, and other groups, and also worked with Project Linus. Beverly enjoyed spending time outdoors, playing tennis, volleyball and board games, kayaking, gardening, and found the deepest joy in gathering with family and friends by the ocean or lake. She also loved reading, brain teasers and puzzles, feeding the fish on the dock, watching the hummingbirds at the feeder, and spending time with “the breakfast club”. Beverly was adventurous and playful by nature, having taken trips down the Amazon to Machu Pichu and skydiving in her 70’s, and also loved collecting shells and relaxing by the beach while at the condo in St. Augustine, FL. She was also an avid UConn Women’s Basketball fan and rarely missed a game.

A memorial service will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 29th at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. Donations in her memory may be made to The Elephant Sanctuary in support of her love of elephants at www.elephants.com , or to Oceana honoring her passion for a cleaner environment at www.oceana.org , and Planned Parenthood, honoring her advocacy around equity for women at www.plannedparenthood.org . Please visit Beverly’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes and to view the recording of the service.