Obituary: Beverley Fichera Lester, 66

Beverley Fichera Lester, 66, of Lawrence Township died peacefully on Friday, March 15, at University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. She died after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Lexington, North Carolina, Beverley was a resident of Lawrence for the past 30 years.

Beverley graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1968 and continued her education receiving her master’s degree in 1972 from Teachers College at Columbia University. She was a Special Education teacher for 26 years, having been in the Lawrence Township School System for 20 of those years, before retiring in 2004.

She was a very active member in the Lawrence Township Education Association having served as its president for 8 years. She was also actively involved with the MCEA, NJEA and the NEA.

Beverley had a vast love for nature. She loved being outdoors, traveling, walking with friends, camping, canoeing and kayaking. She enjoyed laughing with her children and grandchildren, reminiscing with her sisters, dinners with friends and country line dancing with Bob.

After being diagnosed with cancer in 2008 Beverley found therapy in knitting. At the time of her death she was finishing baby blankets for her two granddaughters. Being a Granney was her greatest joy and gave her solace knowing she would live on through them.

Daughter of the late Joseph Wesley and Mary Moser Mann and wife of the late Michael J. Fichera Jr., Esq, she is survived by her husband, Robert A. Lester Jr.; her son, Christopher J. Fichera; her daughter, Lauren Fichera Shoffler and her husband Timothy; her 14-month-old twin granddaughters, Aria and Lillian Shoffler; her sisters, Barbara Middleton and Susan Kimbrell and her husband Gary; her nieces and nephews, Wesley Middleton, Andrea Wright, Robert and Denise Fichera; her step-daughter, Kim Kopkash and her husband Bill; her step-grandchildren, Wyatt and Casey Kopkash; her step-son, Carl Lester and his wife Jamie; as well as many cousins and friends.

A gathering to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, March 19, at 12 p.m. at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Rd., Lawrence. Burial will follow in the Lawrenceville Cemetery.

Friends and relatives may call on Monday, March 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

We ask that everyone attending wear a bit of purple, Beverley’s favorite color, to honor her and celebrate her love of life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, www.ccfa.org.