LINCOLNVILLE — Beatrice H. Gherardi, 90, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, Dec. 27, 2012, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport

Born in Rockland May 24, 1922, she was the daughter of Merle and Emma Peck Mills. Growing up on North Haven, she was a 1939 graduate of the North Haven High School. Beatrice was pleased to have been part of the senior class trip to attend the New York World's Fair.

Following high school Beatrice attended Kent's Hill College. She later married George Gherardi Sr. in 1942. Together they made their home in Rockland.

Beatrice became a stay-at-home mom, raising five children. In 1960 they moved to Lincolnville, where they spent the rest of their married life. Her daughter remembers it wasn't until her youngest child was in high school that Beatrice got her driver's license. They said once she hit the road there was no stopping her. She loved to visit her family and friends, and of course go shopping.

Active in her community, she was a member of the Catholic Woman's Club, president of the Camden Woman's Club and participated in the Red Hat Society.

She worked many places, from the hotel on North Haven as a teenager and as a seamstress making famous brand clothing, to her final job, before retiring, at the old Camden Hospital Business office.

In the 1970s, Bea and her husband started spending their vacations in the Florida Keys. In the 1980s after traveling the country in their motor home, they decided to retire and spend their winters in Florida and their summers in Maine. Bea loved her flower gardens and was said to have a green arm. Spending her winters in Florida meant she could grow her flowers year round. Bea continued to go south until 2010.

She loved to bake and would spend weeks making lemon and pumpkin breads and fudge to give as gifts during the holidays.

Most recently Bea was overjoyed to take a Hawaiian cruise at the age of 85 with her daughter. She even climbed into a submarine and took an underwater sight-seeing tour, and flew in a helicopter. Her family said she talked about her experience for months.

Predeceased by her husband, and two sons-in-law, Ronnie Harnois and Mark Cleveland; Beatrice is survived by her children, Joan M. Harnois of Westbrook, George Gherardi Jr. and his wife, Brenda, Gerald Gherardi and his wife, Billie, all of Gorham, Margaret Napolitano and her husband, James, of Westbrook, and Deborah Fullington and her husband, Don, of Lincolnville; her brother, Wilfred "Wiff" Mills of Spruce Head; 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to visit Wednesday, Jan. 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 10 Limerock St. in Rockland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, Jan. 3, at 10 a.m. at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 150 Broadway in Rockland. The Rev. Richard Malo will officiate. A reception will follow at 104 Limerock, Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home's reception facility.

Those who wish may make memorial donations to Camden/Rockport Animal Rescue League, c/o R. Gribble, P.O. Box 707, Rockport, ME 04856

To share a memory or condolence with Mrs. Gherardi's family, visit her Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.