By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
10/1/09
Friends of longtime resident Jeannette Peverly remembered her last week as a bright woman who dedicated herself to learning and representing the history of the town of Milton.
Mrs. Peverly, 95, died of cancer Sept. 7. A memorial celebration of her life was held at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church on Sept. 26.
She was the archivist for many years for the Milton Historical Society and knew more about the town’s history than almost anyone, according to friends.
“She would spend hours doing research in the Milton Room at the Milton Library,” remembered fellow Historical Society member, Anne Thompson, of Milton. “She would often help researchers who needed historical information on the town for various projects. She was so generous with her time and she had a wonderful outlook.”
Another favorite duty she performed for the society was as a tour guide for the fifth-grade students’ tour of Milton. She would conduct the tour of the First Parish Unitarian Church, where she was a member, and often tell detailed stories to keep the interest of the youngsters on the tour.
“She would always tell the children about the history of the church, and how when it was cold people would bring foot-warming boxes filled with coal to keep their feet warm during the church service,” Thompson said. “Then she would add that some people would bring their dogs and put their feet on the dog to keep warm. Kids would always remember that part of the story.”
In 2008, the First Parish Church membership nominated her to receive the “Thanks for Giving” award given annually by the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association.
Mrs. Peverly was also an active member of the Milton Woman’s Club, and was recently recognized as the club’s oldest member.
“She only joined in 1991, because her dear friend Peg Introne encouraged her to join,” said Milton Woman’s Club President Anne A. Thompson, of Quincy. “When we recognized Jeannette as the oldest member on her 95th birthday, Peg was quick to point out that Jeannette was the oldest in age but Peg was the longest member. They were very good friends.”
“She was one of Milton’s treasures,” said the Rev. Jeffrey Johnson, of First Congregational Church, who was one of her closest friends. “She was part of the backbone of everything she was involved in.”
Johnson, who spoke at her memorial service, said Mrs. Peverly never sought the limelight, but was every bit a leader in the community. He cited her loyalty and deep integrity, always learning and sharing her knowledge and sense of humor with others.
“It was a privilege to know her,” he added.
Mrs. Peverly also worked as a librarian at the Milton Public Library, ever striving to continue to share her love of learning.
She lived a full and active life, having been born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. In a Milton Times feature story earlier this year, Mrs. Peverly said she didn’t speak much Spanish, as she only lived there for a few years. Her father, Arthur Washington Lithgow II, was from the Dominican, and was appointed as a liaison between the United States and the local Dominican government. Her mother, Ina Berenice Lithgow, was a nurse from Nantucket. The family moved to the United States in 1916 to pursue business interests.
Mrs. Peverly was the second of four children. Her brother, the late Arthur Washington Lithgow III, was a noted Shakespearian actor, and her nephew is John Lithgow, of stage, film and television fame.
Her father died when she was only 7 years old, and her mother brought the family to live in Melrose. She attended Melrose High School.
She moved to Milton with her late husband, Russell, in 1939, and first lived in an apartment on Thacher Street. Later they moved to a house on Robbins Street where they lived for about 50 years. The couple raised three daughters.
In 2000, she moved into Fuller Village, becoming one of the elder community’s first residents.
She continued her volunteerism well into her 90s. According to the Times story earlier this year, she felt a strong commitment to her duties and found it “irksome” when others didn’t have the same passion for volunteering.
Mrs. Peverly was also a docent at the Forbes Museum and served on the board of directors for the Boston Home.
She is survived by her daughters, Martha Lewis, of Wisconsin, Ellen McCarran, of Connecticut, and Joanne Pedro, of Brockton; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandsons.
She was the sister of the late Marion Lithgow James, Arthur W. Lithgow and William E. Lithgow.
Burial was private.
Donations may be made to the First Parish Unitarian Church, 535 Canton Ave., Milton, MA 02186, or Milton Historical Society, 1370 Canton Ave., Milton, MA 02186.