KNOX — Beatrice L. Raven, 93, of Knox, died April 13, 2016, at Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home in Waterville. She was born May 7, 1922, in Montville, the daughter of Isaac and Olive (Hatch) Suitor.

When she was 5, the family moved to what is now Suitor Road in Knox, and she had lived there ever since, until she moved to the nursing home. Beatrice attended East Knox School and Freedom Academy, where she graduated in 1939. On Nov. 25, 1939, she married Lawrence Raven.

Bea worked hard all her life raising eight children, cooking, sewing, tending a garden, canning and helping on the family farm. She also worked for the Monmouth Canning Company in the summers. Later, when the kids were grown, she worked at Truitt Brothers in Belfast for several years. She enjoyed visiting with family, Grange suppers, going to horse races with her husband, going out to eat, short car trips with friends, mowing her lawn and researching family history.

Beatrice was predeceased by her parents; her husband of 54 years; an infant son, Raymond; her daughter, Janice Gardner; her great-granddaughter, Jennifer Mitchell; and three brothers, Fred Suitor, Robert Suitor and Myles Suitor Bush.

She is survived by five sons, Melvin and his wife, Carol, of Appleton, Robert and his wife, Sandy, of Unity, Algene "Ike" and his partner, Vicki Saint Armand, of Palermo, Arnold "Chet" of Thorndike, and Roger and his wife, Joan, of Knox; two daughters, Barbara Raven and Myrna Raven, both of Unity ; her son-in-law, Joel Gardner of Montville; 18 grandchildren, Steve Gardner, Sabrena Gardner, Belinda Erskine, Patricia Smith, Michael Raven, Timmy Raven, Theresa Raven, Laurie Raven, Stuart Raven, Ted Reynolds, Annette Reynolds, Scott Raven, Debbie Richards, Mark Raven, Diane Raven, Judson Raven, Andrea Huff and Jillian Raven; 36 great-grandchildren; five great great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Ethel Pattee of Brooks, Mable Larrabee, Minnie Raven, Judy Porter and Christine Suitor Grant, all of Thorndike; one brother-in-law, Merle Raven and his wife, Val; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, April 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave. in Belfast, where a funeral service will also be held Tuesday, April 19, at 11 a.m.