Beverly E. Hurney (nee Cobbs) died at home on June 28, 2024 with her family at her side. She was 92. Born in Boston on January 9, 1932, she was the daughter of the late George W. and Beatrice (Reed) Cobbs.

She is survived by John, her loving husband of 65 years; son, Paul and his wife, Loretta; daughter, Elizabeth; and grandson, Nicholas, all of Newton, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Beverly grew up in Weymouth, MA and graduated from Weymouth High School. In her youth she was a member of 4-H and The Rainbow Girls. As an adult, she edited and published the monthly Rainbow Advisors magazine, and subsequently joined the Eastern Star. She attended Northeastern University where she met her husband John on a blind date. After marrying in 1958, they settled in Newton where she immersed herself in all things Newton. She volunteered for many village events at the Hamilton Elementary School and the Newton Lower Falls Improvement Association. Her volunteer work at the school library led to re-entry into work life at the Newton North High School Library, the Newton Free Library, and a Master's Degree in Library Science.

Beverly served on many boards in the city, including the Newton Community Service Center, with one term as president. She was the secretary of the Lower Falls Project Area Committee (LOPAC), a group tasked with development in Newton Lower Falls – that eventually led to the construction of the New Falls apartment complex.

Volunteer work continued after retirement at the New England Historical Genealogical Society ("HisGen") researching old relatives (back before the Mayflower!) and helping others do the same.

She and her family and friends also spent many wonderful summers on the shores of Lake Memphremagog in Quebec.

But her happiest hours were spent at St. Mary's Church, where she was a parishioner for 65 years. Beverly was a member of the Altar Guild and the Vestry, serving as Junior Warden and then Senior Warden in the 1980's. For the last 30 years she (assisted by John) was the Cemetery Superintendent, updating and maintaining records, deeds, and maps.

Combining her volunteer roles, she published a book, Saint Mary's Cemetery Newton, Massachusetts: Epitaphs (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2000).

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 9 at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Newton Lower Falls. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mary's Cemetery Fund, 258 Concord St., Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462 or to the American Parkinson's Disease Association (https://www.apdaparkinson.org/).