Obituary for Beverly June Licht

My mom, Beverly June Licht passed away Tuesday October 4th, 2022 surrounded by family. She was 94 and had lived a long and full life. She was a great mom, grandmother and great grandmother. My mom’s greatest joy were her children, grandchildren and great granddaughters. She always had a smile and was loved by all who knew her. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family.

Beverly was born in Sharon Pa. on June 19, 1928 to the late Charles and Adah (Magargee) Gerrish. Beverly spent most of her childhood on a farm in Mercer Pa. and attended a one room school house. She graduated from Mercer High School and attended Youngstown College (now Youngstown University) where she was a member of Delta Chi Epsilon Business Sorority. While there, she met her roommate’s brother and after a few years of courtship, she married the love of her life Kenneth Licht on June 16th, 1951. After they married, they moved to Akron, Ohio where she worked at Goodyear as a typist (she was an excellent typist) until her children were born, Kathryn in 1953 and Paul in 1955. Her husband worked for Firestone.

In 1957 we all moved to the Philippines for a little over three years where my mom became a member of the Eastern Stars Mayan Chapter. It was definitely a culture shock for someone who grew up on a farm with no electricity or running water to move half way around the world with 2 toddlers to a tropical country and large home with servants! This was just the beginning of moving about every three years. After the Philippines, we lived in Noeux Les Mines France followed by Cuyahoga Falls Ohio, San Jose Costa Rica, Utica Michigan, Derry New Hampshire, Morristown New Jersey and Temperance Ohio. My parents finally settled in Westerville Ohio in 1980.

Through their 59 years of marriage my parents enjoyed bowling and golfing – my mom won numerous trophies for both and golfed until her late 80’s. While living in Westerville, they were members of Highland Gold Club. After my dad retired, they enjoyed wintering in Florida with my brother’s family where my mom loved all the shrimp, and visiting my family in New England where she enjoyed the lobster and clam chowder!

In later years, my mom took up painting at the Blendon Senior Center where many of her paintings were awarded ribbons. She was also a member of the Blendon Bells Red Hats and enjoyed all of their activities. She also enjoyed traveling with our family and went on several cruises with us. She loved to get “dolled up” and enjoyed dancing. My mom was an excellent baker and was known for her pies and Christmas cookies she also loved collecting recipes. Her favorite colors were blue and purple and she loved flowers. Her biggest regret was that she could not hear which prevented her from socializing more.

Beverly is preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Licht, son Paul Licht, parents Charles and Adah Gerrish and brothers, Charles, Wayne, and Russel Gerrish.

She is survived by her daughter Kathryn and son in law Barry Randall of Loveland Ohio, granddaughter Jessica (Tim) Balint and great granddaughter Evelyn Balint of Westerville Ohio and grandson Christopher (Jennifer) Licht and great granddaughter Penelope Licht of North Palm Beach Florida as well as sister’s in law Joyce Gerrish and Freda Gerrish and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held Tuesday October 11th at 10 am at Hill funeral Home 220 S State Street followed by a service at 11:30 am. Interment will be held October 12th at 1 pm at Mt. Washington Cemetery, Mercer Pa.

Memorials can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.