Mary Margaret Beatrice, 90, passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 24, 2023, with her husband lovingly by her side. Mary was born March 31, 1933, to John Edward and Lillian Marion (Wilke) Knauer in Manhattan, New York. She met her husband, Vern, while attending Fitch High School in Groton. They later married on Dec. 22, 1951, and recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary.

Mary is survived by her husband Vernon Orlando Beatrice; daughters: Nadine Lynn Beatrice (Wilson), Cecilia Jean Hamrick (Mark), Sharon Marie Beatrice and Michelle Jane Schiess (John); her granddaughters: Tabitha (Gripps) Rahmann (Jayson), Olivia (Schiess) Podwalski (Rich) and Kaitlyn (Hamrick) Valdes (Nester); and grandsons: Jason Gripps, Evan Schiess (Taylor), Kyle Schiess, Robert Hamrick (Jamie) and Ricky Hamrick (Nikki); six great-grandchildren; and other nieces, nephews; and many caring friends. Mary was predeceased by her parents, John Edward Knauer and Lillian Marion Knauer; brother, John Knauer; stepmother, Doris Bruce (Hawkes) Knauer; nephews, Thomas Knauer and Richard Tetrault; and niece, Doreen (Noonan) Hess.

Mary was an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Madison and was an active Avon lady in Madison for many years. She lived a full, exemplary life, inspiring those around her with her dedication to family, to the church, and to the community.

Memorial services will be delayed until sometime during the summer months of 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 232 Durham Road, Madison, CT. The family of Mary wishes to thank the staff at Hospice of Branford for their care of Mary and the aides from nearby who cared for her during her final days of life.