Beatrice Ann Pelkey

Beatrice was born to William I and Julia Coolidge on Aug. 6, 1945, in Jay, New York. She graduated from AuSable Forks High School in 1964. After completing school, she pursued a career as telephone operator for 20 years. Many jobs followed, including school tax collector, Essex County Health Department administrator, and Jay town clerk.

In 1967, Beatrice married Chester Wayne Furnia, who passed in 1994. Beatrice and Chester adopted two children, Stephen and Julie and a foster daughter, Laurie. Beatrice married Raymond Lee Pelkey in 1996, they adopted two children, Jerry and Elizabeth.

Beatrice was a loyal servant to God, first and foremost. She loved the church and loved sharing the love and warmth of our savior, Jesus Christ, with everyone. Beatrice was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and supported Adirondack Christian School as a school board member for many years. She dedicated her life to being a mother and excelled at encouraging her children and supporting them through the many passions and difficulties of their lives. She was heartfelt about her family and caring for her grandchildren. She spent many years opening her home to all who needed a loving place to stay. When Beatrice wasn’t filling her home with warmth and kindness, she could be found enjoying a conversation with her sister Betty, walks on her country farm, and tending her horses. We will miss her greatly.

Beatrice was preceded in death by her mother Julia, her father William I, her brother William II, her grandson Joshua Cave, and her son-in-law David Fraser.

She is survived by many loving family members, her children, Steve Furnia and wife Kelly Furnia, Julie Fraser, Laurie Cave and husband James Cave, Jerry Pelkey, and Elizabeth LaRose and husband Martin LaRose. Her grandchildren include Cody Furnia, Tanner Furnia, Micah Pelkey, Lauren Endersbee, Emily Endersbee, Alexander LaRose, Rowan LaRose, Kristy Akey, Kirsten Thompson, Makayla Cave, and Makenzie Pulsifer, her sister Elizabeth “Betty” Cave and brother Robert Coolidge, in addition to several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Zaumetzer Funeral Home, 3 College St., AuSable Forks. A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 1, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 6065 state Route 86, Wilmington, New York with a private burial to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Calvary Baptist Church.