Bernice

Beckwith

It is with sadness we keep fond memories of Bernice Marie (Reney) Beckwith who departed this Earth at the age of 97, on November 12, 2025 in Southampton, after a short illness. She was born on February 27, 1928 at home to Howell K. Reney and Rachel Lester, of the Round Swamp Lester family.

Bernice's husband, Paul B. Beckwith, Sr., whom she met in the first grade of school, predeceased her after 61 years of marriage, on March 14, 2008. Paul was Shop Foreman at the East Hampton Highway Department and President of their union as well as World War II veteran, a lifelong waterman, hunter and carpenter and patriarch to his sons and many other of his sons' friends.

They were married at home in East Hampton at the place of Bernice's birth, the corner of Spring Banks Road and Three Mile Harbor Road on September 20, 1947.

Shortly after their marriage they moved to Patchogue, NY and eventually raised their children in Bellport, where the family men were a fixture working on the water, clamming, oystering, sailing on the Great South Bay, hunting Upstate in NY and Maine, and building boats in the backyard, not to mention the many cars which were always in the state of being rebuilt or raced around the area. Bernice's life was her children, caring for them during illnesses and all the various activities they were involved in, while Paul was working as a Union Construction worker and heavy equipment operator when he wasn't laid off and working on the water.

Their home was always open to their sons' friends, who often would end up sleeping on the couch or congregating in the yard while fiberglass was being applied to a newly built dory. Bernice was there to provide food and keep the house. It was Bernice and Paul who endured the worry of their boys being drafted during the Vietnam War, and in fact, Paul was the one who drove the boys and some of their friends when they were drafted and deployed.

Bernice loved driving in to Patchogue with her daughter in tow, to visit the thrift shops looking for the great finds.  Recalling the store she called "Sally's," we later realized it was actually the Salvation Army Store.

Bernice was some what of a fashionista, not leaving the house unless she was wearing her makeup and a matching outfit that was on trend with the latest looks. She amassed a great amount of clothing, jewelry, shoes and bags in her lifetime! You never knew which new hairstyle she would be sporting.

In the mid 1970's, Paul, Bernice and several of the children moved back to East Hampton, to reside on Bernice's father's property, where Paul constructed a home for them from two small fishing cottages and a hand built breezeway, on Harbor View Avenue.

During her childhood, Bernice attended East Hampton High School where she earned a letter in Basketball.  She was not able to graduate her final year, as her mother Rachel became ill with cancer, and she stayed home to take care for her.

In the 1980s, in addition to being a homemaker and as her family grew with grandchildren, she worked as a domestic for several notable families including the Ford family, and members of the Screen Actors Guild.  She was especially excited to have met Paul Newman one summer while at work.

In addition, she served a term as President of the Ladies Service Club, which convened at The Neighborhood House on Three Mile Harbor Road.

An original Bonacker, Bernice would tell you her interests and achievements were raising her family, of whom she was very proud.

She also had written some poetry which was published in the East Hampton Star. She loved walking around her property, admiring the various rare plants which grew upon it; May Pinks, Lady Slippers, and her favorite, Black Eyed Susan. She loved to admire her orange ditch Lillies when they bloomed.  She fed every cat that came in to her yard and had a little Chihuahua at one point named "Poochie" who would  'dance' for her.

She was famous for hanging her clothes on the line in the winter snow, barefoot, regardless of the many boots which were gifted to her! She was adept at opening scallops and also had her clamming license.  She  would take every opportunity, even in to her 80s to go to Sammy's Beach with one of her sons or her grandson to dig for clams with her feet.

She loved to pick Beach Plums at Maidstone Park and share her Beach Plum jelly. Her clam chowder was unmatched and no one could make gravy like she did.  Many meals were made from wildlife hunted by her husband and sons and grandsons.  Christmas or Thanksgiving meals frequently consisted of Goose or Venison.

Her Christmas trees were often cut in Maine and brought back home to her by her husband after the men's annual hunting trip to her son's cabin in the Allagash Wilderness.

She loved her woodstove and was handy with axe, gun, or knife  - trespassers to her yard, beware! She was a proud member of the NRA.

Bernice loved to reminisce about growing up in East Hampton around Three Mile Harbor and Round Swamp farm.  She learned to swim when her father threw her overboard in Three Mile Harbor and told her to "paddle like the dogs do." She would visit the Round Swamp Cemetery where her parents were buried, and tell stories of her childhood, sitting on the fence at Aunt Winnie's house and eating a cookie.

She never owned a cell phone and was shocked when she watched Jurassic Park and realized the dinosaurs were not friendly!  There are many more stories about Bernice too numerous to mention here, but if you knew her and have a story to share, please feel free to do so.

Bernice is survived by all 5 of her children;

Capt. Paul "Bruce" Beckwith, Jr. and his wife Susan of Montauk, New York, owner operator of The Allison and Lisa fishing Vessel

Edward Beckwith and his wife Joanne, retired master carpenter, of Onancock, Virginia

Guy Beckwith, bayman and her faithful caregiver for the past 17 years, of East Hampton, New York

John Beckwith, fisherman, of Onancock, Virginia

Valerie Beckwith, retired hospice human resources director, of Naples, Florida

She is also survived by her 8 grandchildren:

Paul James (PJ) Beckwith and his wife Marita, of East Hampton – who Bernice was especially close to, as they helped her and Paul in many ways over the years.

Allison Algieri, LPN – who remained vigil at Bernice's bedside toward the end of her life, and her husband Christopher, of New Jersey

Lisa Mentz and her husband David, of Pennsylvania

Julie Walker, of New York

Christopher Beckwith and his wife Jessica, of Iowa

John Beckwith, Jr., of Colorado

Travis Connelly, of Virginia

Benjamin Paul Rosen and his wife Amy, of Delaware

Bernice a/k/a "Old Grandma" was also blessed to have 15 great-grandchildren;

Amanda Beckwith and Adam Lipson of West Palm Beach, Florida

Ashlynn, Alex and Adam Beckwith, of East Hampton

Christopher and Abbigail Algieri, of New Jersey

Kempton, Bastian and Gretel Mentz, of Pennsylvania

Lindsey Walker, of New York

Samantha and Sara Beckwith, and Cassie and Tori James, of Iowa

Jay Connelly, of Virginia

Elliana Noel Rosen, of Delaware

And one great-great-grandchild:

Navah Love Lipson of West Palm Beach Florida

A grave side service will be held at Cedar Lawn Cemetery. For those wishing to remember Bernice with a donation, please do so to the East Hampton Food Pantry, 159 Pantigo Road, East Hampton, NY 11937