OBITUARY: Elizabeth L. “Betty” (Edgett) Coville, 94

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Elizabeth L. “Betty” Coville (Edgett), age 94, of Peabody, formerly a long-time resident of Wilmington, MA, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Betty was born in Wakefield, MA, on March 25, 1931, the dear daughter of the late Alfred S. and Agnes E. Edgett. She was raised in Wakefield and was a proud graduate of Wakefield High School. Betty went on to earn her degree in Secretarial Science from the Fay School of Business in Boston, MA.

Betty met the love of her life, Vernon “Jeff” Coville, on a blind date, and the two married on January 24, 1953. In 1963, Betty and Jeff settled in their Powderhouse Circle neighborhood in Wilmington, where they raised their family and formed lasting friendships with their neighbors.

A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Betty created a warm and welcoming home for family and friends. She was an amazing baker whose chocolate chip cookies and dream bars were family favorites. Betty provided endless love, support, and encouragement to her children and grandchildren, who were the center of her world.

Betty loved game nights and was a friendly yet competitive player—especially when it came to playing games with her grandchildren.  Grammy enjoyed teaching her grandchildren board games especially Rummikub and Sorry.  She was also talented in many crafts, including knitting and ceramics, and enjoyed teaching these skills to her daughters. Betty loved painting watercolors and was an avid reader until macular degeneration affected her vision.

Before her retirement, Betty worked for many years as the Assistant Town Treasurer for the Town of Wilmington. She took great pride in her work and cherished the friendships she made with her coworkers at Town Hall.  Betty really enjoyed her time working for the Town of Wilmington.

A long-time member of the Wilmington United Methodist Church, Betty was active in several women’s groups and valued the close bonds she built with her church family. After she and Jeff moved to Brooksby Village in Peabody, Betty continued to make new friends and especially looked forward to Rummikub game nights with her ladies’ group.

Betty will be remembered for her fierce independence, organization, and countless talents. She was always the first to lend a helping hand and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Betty was the beloved wife of 65 years to the late Vernon “Jeff” Coville, who passed in 2018. She was the devoted mother of Leslie A. Vachalek and her husband David of Gallatin, TN; Roger E. Coville and his wife Kelly of Columbus, OH; Karen L. Lefebvre and her husband Mark of Westford, MA; and the late Stephen L. Coville. Loving “Grammy” of Daniel and wife Lisa, Erica, Stanton and wife Alexa, Cassandra and husband Matt, Ryan, Ashley, and Andrew; and proud great-grandmother of Charlotte, Olivia, Adeline, Lucy, and Sophie. She was the dear sister of Patricia Cosman of Peabody and was predeceased by her siblings Dolly Hampton, Alfred “Buddy” Edgett Jr., and Johnny Edgett. Betty is further survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

At Betty’s request, services will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s memory may be made to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Attn: Development Office, 243 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114 (please specify “Macular Degeneration Research” in the memo line), or to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, PO Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-0515.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Nichols Funeral Home, Wilmington, MA. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.