Obituary of Beatrice Light

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. -Dylan Thomas Bea Light, aged 92, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, October 18, 2010, which would have been her husband Pete’s 94th birthday. She is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Piper and her husband Craig Costello of Olympia, Washington; her son, Steven Light and wife Kathy of Marshfield, Vermont; grandchildren Sonya Piper of Seattle, Washington, Alissa Light of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Anna Light of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Chris Costello of Vancouver, Washington, Matt Costello of Whidbey Island, Washington; their spouses, partners, 6 great grandchildren and a seventh on the way. Bea was born to Mayer and Tillie Hermelee on July 5th, 1918 in New York City. She was married to Peter Light on June 8th, 1941 and lived with him until his death in June of 2006. Their love for each other and the life they made together lives on. Bea received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College in 1939. She worked as a bookkeeper and school secretary for many years before deciding to become a teacher in the New York City public schools. She spent her teaching career at Alexander Burger Junior High School in the South Bronx until her retirement in 1978. Bea and Pete retired to West Newbury, Vermont in 1978 where they embraced the rural lifestyle. During this first retirement they enthusiastically learned to grow and preserve food, traveled widely, and lovingly enjoyed their grandchildren. True to her character, Bea found excitement in learning a new style of healthy living. Her template for good health included walking, hiking, community involvement, and especially cooking from their garden for family and friends. When the winters became too harsh, they sold their home in Vermont to begin their second retirement in Chandler, Arizona. In December of 2004 they moved to Lacey, Washington to be near their daughter Marilyn and her family. After Pete’s death in 2006, Bea courageously continued to stay involved in all the activities that came her way. Walking, movies, and reading became mainstays of her life. When asked about her philosophy of life in her 90’s, she replied, “sink or swim but now I occasionally float.”