Beverly Collins Decas, 65, of Wareham, died peacefully in her home on July 10 holding the hands of her devoted husband John C. Decas and their daughter Alexandra Decas who adored her, just as they had held her hand every day during her illness.

The daughter of Joseph P. and Edna M (Spooner) Collins, Beverly was born in New Bedford in 1949. She and her brother John grew up in Fairhaven while spending many memorable summers at the TACCA Campground in Marion with their extended family and friends.

She graduated from Fairhaven High School in 1967 and from Lowell State College in 1971 with a degree in Music Education. She taught in the Groton, Massachusetts Public School system until she moved to Wareham in 1981.

Beverly was a master in the art of friendship going to great lengths to nurture bonds, express her care and appreciation and most importantly to convey her gratitude for those numerous relationships. Her smile, wit, love of life, and positive energy was bestowed upon many and will be deeply missed. She loved people, connected deeply, and was loved in return.

Her respect for tradition, history, culture and learning was a central theme. This was shown in her love for art, music, cinema and the written word. She participated proudly as the Secretary for many years of The Descendants of Whaling Masters as she was a descendant of Captain Daniel H. Spooner of the Brig Juno that sailed from New Bedford in 1841. She was the family historian and loved to share her memories and in-depth knowledge of the family tree.

Survivors include her husband, John of almost 34 years; her daughter, Alexandra S.; her stepson Dean Decas, her brother John L. Collins and his fiancé Diane Arsenault; her brother-in-laws William C. Decas and George C. Decas; her sister-in law Katharina C. Decas; and her nephews and niece Patrick J. Collins, Matthew J. Collins, and Anna B. Collins. She was predeceased by her parents, her son Joseph John Decas, and her stepson Harry Decas.

Her funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15 at the Wickenden Chapel at Tabor Academy, 86 Spring Street, Marion. Burial will be in the Agawam Cemetery, Wareham. Reception to follow.

Visiting hours are from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14 at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Beverly’s memory may be made either to Descendants of Whaling Masters PO Box 3026 New Bedford, MA 02741 for their memorial fund; or to the Southcoast VNA Hospice Program 200 Mill Road, Fairhaven, MA 02719 because they provided so much comfort and relief to both her and her family when she was in her home that she loved so much.