WESTFIELD – Beverly J. (Mulville) Gamble, (1932-2025) passed away after a short illness on February 18th, 2025, at Noble Baystate Hospital. She was born on April 1st, 1932, to Donald Sr. and Hazel (Hatch) Mulville at the Hazelhurst in Westfield.
Beverly attended local schools including Abner Gibbs Elementary School, (where her mother and granddaughters attended) and graduated from Westfield High School in 1950 earning Pro Merito status. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Westfield State College, where she also served as Bookstore Manager. While attending W.H.S., Beverly met the love of her life, Clifton W. Gamble, Jr. on a date arranged by their mutual friends Donald “Red” Holmes and Joan (Hansen) Holmes at the former Yankee Pedlar Inn in Holyoke. The couple married in December 1953 in a beautiful, candlelit service by Rev. Edward Cowles. Beverly’s brother Donald “Burgess” Mulville, Jr. and her Aunt Eunice Sardam filled in for her late parents. Beverly’s gown was made by her Aunt Ruth Morse, and she was attended by bridesmaids Susan (Kellogg) Mulville, Barbara (Hatch) Pellan, Lois (Gamble) Manley and Lucille (Gamble) Gorton. During the Korean Conflict, Clifton and his twin brother Clark were stationed in Anchorage, Alaska (still a U.S. Territory in 1954). Beverly soon joined her husband “Cliffy” there. She taught at an elementary school there for one year. Upon returning to Westfield, Beverly taught 2nd grade at Highland Elementary School. In later years she kept in touch with her students including Greg Kalfka, Francis Liptak, and Frank Mills. Her first years students even gave her a party at Westwood Restaurant recently.
In 1959, she left teaching to raise her family. Throughout the years, she supported her children in all their activities, both academic and extra-curricular. Beverly held her family and friends in the highest esteem. Her closet and longest friends included James and Stella Huffmire (with whom they vacationed in Bermuda, England, and Cape Cod with their respective families); the late Donald “Swede” and Barbara Swanson with whom they traveled to the British Isles. The Swansons were also Godparents to Beverly and Clifton’s four children. She also stayed in close touch with classmates Florence (Gregor) Fitzgerald, Jenny (Cressotti) Hart and the late Joan (May) Pearson, Jane (Hogan) Barry, Nancy (Steniere) Stacy, and Joan (Hansen) Holmes. Beverly was also active at First Congregational Church, Westfield, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. She was a Sunday School Teacher in college and Nursery School Co-Superintendent (with Shirley Boyle and Pat Shepard). In addition, she served on many committees and offices including Historian, Registrar, Sr. Deaconess, Christian Education Chair, Budget and Music. She also organized an English Tea Fundraiser (for over 20 years), Quilt Shows, Church Fairs and helped on Lenten Luncheon, Women’s Fellowship, and Christian Fellowship Group. She leaves many friends at FCC, including her “Sunday Grandson” Michael Winer. Beverly was passionate about the Arts and won awards in Pastel Portraiture and Knitting. Her quilt was featured in a book by Quilter Elly Sienkewitz. She was on the Visual Arts Committee for WestFest (with her dear friend Marie Flahive), and was a member of Arts West, Westfield Arts Council, a founding member of the Friends of the Athenaeum, Shurtleff Mission Board, the Westfield Red Cross, the Dewey House, and was a Westfield Athenaeum Corporator. She was also a 40+ member of the Tuesday Morning Club. Beverly served as a Ward 2B election warder for many years.
Beverly was predeceased by her husband Clifton of 69 years in 2022.
She will be greatly missed by her children, Beth A. Gamble of Southampton, Tracy W. Gamble and his wife Lisa of Westfield, Stuart W. Gamble of Westfield, and Martha J. (Gamble) Scavotto and her husband Gary of Westfield. She leaves three grandchildren: Grace E. (Gamble) Slesinski and husband Ted of Pennsylvania, Olivia T. (Gamble) Reding and husband Joshua of Maryland, and Kristie Scavotto of California. In addition, she leaves three great-grandchildren, Aria and Mila Slesinski, and Iain Reding. Beverly also leaves many nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout Westfield and beyond.
A Memorial Service will be held at the First Congregational Church, Broad Street, Westfield, on Saturday, May 17th at 11:00 a.m. Memorial Contributions may be made to the First Church Memorial Flower Fund.
