Beverly J. “Bev” Pitchford
Beverly J. “Bev” Pitchford, 92, died Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at the St. Francis Nursing Home in Fond du Lac. She was born to Harold and Rozella (De Both) Marcoe on August 11, 1923 in West Allis, Wis. During World War II, Bev served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in February of 1946 at the rank of MAILMAN THIRD CLASS. On April 25, 1946 she married James E. Pitchford at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Fond du Lac. He preceded her in death on July 4, 1984. Also preceding her in deathwere her brothers; H. Robert Marcoe and E. John Marcoe and his wife, Alice; and a brother-in-law, Joe Pitchford.
Beverly took great pride in her service to our country. Her elder brother John joined the service the day after Pearl Harbor. Bev became a Civil Defense Air Raid Warden in Milwaukee until her 20th birthday when she enlisted in the Navy Waves and was sent to New York. This was against the wishes of her parents, but it meant so much for her to do her part for our country. Luckily, her decision led to her meeting Jim, her future husband and the love of her life. She enjoyed being a homemaker as well as sewing, gardening, ceramics, leather work, square dancing, word search puzzles and Skyping with her family. She swam regularly at the YMCA. At one time, she was active in the 4H. After her children moved away, she worked at Marcoe Tax Service. Bev was an exceptional wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.
She is survived by her 5 children; Robert James (Anne) of Oklahoma, Marc Lynn (Ann) of Nevada, Douglas Scott (Karleen) of Illinois, Richard Andrew (Jan) of Ohio and daughter Patricia Ann (Bryan) Abell of Fond du Lac; 13 grandchildren, Peter (Amy), Paul (Traci), Judy (Matt Dock), Clair (Ryan Daugherty), Julie (Greg Juhl), Joe (Elysia), Cathy (Jason Petrie), Corey (Caitlin), Roy, Alma (Jason Rhoden), James, Emily, Eli and Autumn Grace; and 16 great-grandchildren, Melissa, Ben, Ella, Samantha, Zoey, Lucas, Allison, Scott, Geoffrey, Riley, Luke, Nate, Madelyn, Brooklyn, Ethan and Rilyn. Bev is further survived by her sister-in-law and best friend, Joan Marcoe; and her brother-in-law, Ivan Pitchford and Ivan’s wife, Donna.
VISITATION: Monday, March 14, 2016 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave. in Fond du Lac and again at church on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass. FUNERAL: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 678 Western Ave. in Fond du Lac. Burial in Calvary Cemetery, Fond du Lac will follow the service. Military honors will be presented by the American Legion, Trier-Puddy Post #75.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at the St. Francis Home and at Agnesian Hospice Hope for the excellent care they gave Mom and their support of her family.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Agnesian Hospice Hope, 239 Trowbridge Rd. in Fond du Lac.