Beatrice H. Sparks

Beatrice H. Sparks, 88, of East Matunuck and Green Hill, passed away Wednesday, December 9, 2009, surrounded by her loving family at the Westerly Nursing Home. Born in Providence, on February 26, 1921, she was the daughter of the late George and Lucy Cagnon Harrison of Providence. Beatrice graduated from Central High School in Providence and later from Bryant Business School. In December of 1942 on Christmas Day, Beatrice married Earl C. Sparks, Jr. an ensign in the U.S. Navy, who is deceased. They moved to Bedford Massachusetts to settle down and raise their family. Beatrice is the beloved mother of six children: Earl C. Sparks III (Janet), Wilmington, NC, Carolyn S. Kokalis, Fort Myers, FL, George H. Sparks (JoAnn), Palm Coast, FL and Green Hill, R.I., Shirley S. Kersey, Matunuck, R.I., Ralph S. Sparks, Westerly, R.I., and Dorothy S. Blake (Bruce) of Bedford, Mass. She was the grandmother of eight grandsons and four granddaughters, and ten great grandchildren. Beatrice had a life-long love of swimming. In 1936, at the age of 15, she was the silver medalist in the 100-yd free style for the New England Championships. In 1988, she was ranked second in the 50 yard back stroke and third in the 500 yard free style for the 65-69 age group of the New England Master’s Swimming. In 1973, Beatrice started the Bedford High School’s girls swim team and was inducted into the Bedford High School’s Athletic Hall of fame in 2006 for being the coach of the Division I girls swimming Champions for the state of Massachusetts for 1974 and 1975. She was also honored for the Boston Globe All-Scholastic Coach of the Year for the girls swimming for 1979-1980. She was active in the Red Cross Auxiliary and was the President of the Bedford Women’s Club. Beatrice was an avid reader and enjoyed the challenge of Duplicate Bridge. Beatrice will be remembered for her unconditional love and support for her six children. She was their mentor, their cheerleader and their guide. A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, December 15th at 11AM in the Peace Dale Congregational Church, 261 Columbia St. A private burial will be in the RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours Monday 4-8 PM in the AVERY-STORTI Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Beatrice’s memory may be made to American Red Cross or the Alzheimer’s Association.