27 April, 2011
Beatrice (Bennett) Ricks, 90, died Wednesday, April 13, 2011. Born in Bath, ME, she was the daughter of the late R. Leslie and Victoria
(Brown) Bennett.
She was a graduate of Natick High School and earned her degree from New England Baptist School of Nursing. She was a second lieutenant in the 4188th Army Air Force Base Unit in World War II, stationed at Williams Field, Chandler, AZ. She was awarded the World War II Victory Ribbon and American Theatre Ribbon. After discharge, she entered LaSalle College and received her BS in Education and her Master’s degree.
She taught third grade for 38 years at Fisk Elementary School in Wellesley. Beatrice was past president of the Natick Women’s Guild, where she served on the scholarship committee. She collected and built dollhouses and miniature furniture for over 40 years. She attended the International Master Artisans Workshop in Castine, ME, where she learned to make themed dollhouses from scratch.
Beatrice developed her own show “Ricks Gallery,” and traveled from Maine to Virginia, and from Cape Cod to Sturbridge. She served as State Representative of the National Association of Miniatures Enthusiasts.
She is survived by her daughter Victoria Ricks of Alaska, granddaughter Grace McSoley of RI and cousin Marianna Surette of Southborough. She also leaves Marianna’s son William Surette Jr. of Millis and daughter Arlene Surette and her husband Richard C. Roberts and their children Richard S. Roberts and Jenna Roberts all of Milford.
Friends and relatives are invited to a committal service with military honors on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 11:15 a.m. in North Cemetery, Route 27, Natick.
Donations may be made to Sol Amor Hospice, 415 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Callanan Cronin Funeral Home, 34 Church St., Hopkinton .
