Edith Beal

Edith Katherine Smith Beal, 96, of Bridgton passed away on April 24, 2013, at her home after a short illness.

She was born July 15, 1916, in Kirkland, N.Y., daughter of W. Carlton and Edith F. Munger Smith.

She graduated from Buffalo State Teacher’s College and studied art at Pratt Institute. After teaching for three years and learning to fly an airplane, she was accepted into the Women’s Air Force Service Pilot training during WWII, where she towed targets for live gunnery training. While there she met a flight instructor, Donald Ivan Beal, from South Portland. They were married on Feb. 10, 1945. Together they raised four children and operated Sandy Cove Cottages for over 20 years before retiring to Florida to enjoy their golden years. During those years, Edith took up her artist’s brush again, painting many more watercolors.

Edith was a member of the First Congregational UCC Church of Bridgton, Maine.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 53 years, a sister Frances Adams, and a brother Charles Munger Smith.

She is survived by her four children, Kathy Bartke and husband Hal, Carol Riley, Jon Beal and wife Hope, Nat Beal and companion Jane, 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service to honor her life will be held at the First Congregational Church in Bridgton on Monday, May 13 at 5 p.m.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Donald I. Beal Memorial Fund of the Bridgton Scholarship Foundation.