Elizabeth Beardsley Havard

Red Creek Elizabeth Beardsley Havard died peacefully on Friday, May 29, 2015 in Clifton Springs, NY. Known to all as Buffy, she was the beloved sister or sister-in-law of Debby Beardsley and Perry Colclasure of Portland, OR; Jim and Jennifer Beardsley of Red Creek, NY; Josh and Anne Beardsley of Arlington, MA and Mimi and Dick Alford of Alford, MA and the devoted Aunt to eight nieces and nephews, including Seth Beardsley of Cos Cob, CT; Kara Carcaterra of Little Silver, NJ; Philippa Beardsley of Philadelphia, PA; Rebecca Beardsley of Red Bank, NJ; Lisa Alpaugh of Darien, CT; Jenny Axelman of Nevada City, CA; Mikaela Beardsley of New York, NY; and Jonathan Beardsley of San Francisco, CA; as well as to ten great-nieces and nephews. All of us in the family will forever remember Buffy's love for us, her energy, enthusiasm, and sense of humor. She never forgot a birthday! Born in New York City on April 14, 1939, Buffy spent her childhood in New York City and Red Bank, NJ. She attended the Rumson Country Day School in Rumson, NJ; the Spence School in New York City, and she graduated in 1957 from Miss Porter's School in Farmington, CT. Buffy went on to attend Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY where she studied theatre. She then attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts where she met her husband to be. She was married from 1965 to 1974 to the artist, James Pinkney Havard. During the late 70's and early 80's Buffy was a member of the theatre group headed by Jerzy Grotowski, a Polish director and innovator of experimental theatre. She toured with Grotowski's group in Poland, France, Mexico and Haiti. During the 80's and 90's Buffy lived on Highland Ave in Atlantic Highlands, NJ where she had numerous jobs and touched the lives of many people. She was a secretary, a crossing guard, a computer tutor and was a huge help to her brother Jimmy and her sister-in-law Jennifer as there family grew to four children. Her service to the Calvary Chapel in Atlantic Highlands involved everything from administrator to treasurer to creating the Sunday school program. In 2003 Buffy moved to Red Creek, NY where she became involved in a host of activities. She will be fondly remembered for her enthusiastic, hands-on work at the Red Creek Westbury United Methodist Church. Her passions included the Sunday school, the church suppers, the treasure fests and bazaars just to name a few. In 2012 Buffy was presented with the Citizen Award by the Red Creek mayor, Chuck Palermo, for everything she did to beautify the village of Red Creek. In June 2014, following medical treatment for cancer, Buffy moved to The Terrace at Newark and not to anyone's surprise she became an active and beloved member of that community. Her activities ranged from being the BINGO caller to the creator and artistic organizer of crafts for Holiday decorations. Buffy was quick to express her deep gratitude for the love, care and support that she found at The Terrace. A memorial service for Buffy will be held at the Red Creek Westbury United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 4:00 pm. A supper reception will be held following the service. Donations in Buffy's memory can be made to the Memorial Fund of the Red Creek Westbury United Methodist Church, 6827 Church Street, Red Creek, NY 13143.