Beverly Lilian James Espuga was a remarkable woman whose life was defined by love, determination, faith, service, and devotion to family. She met life’s challenges with strength, optimism, and grace.
Born in Jersey City, N.J., to Lilian Emily and George James, Beverly was the eldest of four children. She learned the value of hard work early, put herself through college, and attended Orange Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a caring and compassionate nurse for a decade.
As her children grew, Beverly became active in church, teaching nursery and Sunday school. Her love of children led her back to school, where she earned a teaching degree and a master’s degree in special education from Kean University. She later taught preschool children with disabilities, and took great pride in helping them learn, grow, and feel loved.
At 16, Beverly met Anthony (“Tony”) Richard Espuga on a blind date. They married in 1961 and shared 55 years together, until Tony’s passing in 2017. Together they built a loving family and created cherished memories. They camped throughout the East Coast, beginning in tents and eventually graduating to a camper. That tradition became part of a family legacy with all the sons and grandkids as avid campers.
Beverly treasured family gatherings, especially holiday meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. She was happiest when everyone was together sharing food, conversation, laughter, and stories. She also loved gardening, composting, bicycling around Vineyard Haven, and walking.
Her Methodist faith shaped her life. She prayed daily, volunteered at community suppers, visited people who were homebound or hospitalized, and found deep meaning in helping others.
Above all, Beverly was a wonderful mother. She taught her sons to cook and, by example, to work hard, stay positive, care for others, and appreciate family. Even as illness progressed, she continued to find joy in her deck, good food, family visits, and hearing about her grandchildren’s lives.
Beverly is survived by her sister, Janice Ragonese (Lester); her sons, Richard (Jackie), David (Michele), and Robert (Kerrie); her grandchildren, Nicole, Kyle, Nick, Danny, Alyssa, Ryan, and Ashley (Jason); and her great-grandson, Cole.
Her legacy is one of love, strength, faith, kindness, gratitude, and a life well-lived. Her family will remember her generous spirit, steady encouragement, resilience, warm hospitality, and enduring ability to make people feel welcome, supported, and loved. The many lives she touched will carry her example forward.
Services on Martha’s Vineyard will be held on Sept. 19, with a burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Vineyard Haven, at 10 am, and then at 11 am a church service at the Trinity United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard at 40 Trinity Park in the Campgrounds in Oak Bluffs. Immediately following will be a luncheon in the fellowship hall building.
A celebration of life in New Jersey on Oct. 4 at 1 pm will be held at Costa’s Restaurant, 120 Chestnut St., Roselle Park NJ 07204.
Visit chapmanfuneral.com for online guestbook and information.
