Beth Ann (Thompson) Cothran

The family of Beth Ann Cothran, Springfield, Vt. is saddened  to announce her passing on October 29th 2022 after suffering from an unexpected illness, the family being by her side.

Born October 16th, 1961 to Laurence & Jean (Bickford) Thompson in Newport, New Hampshire, Beth would be their second daughter. She resided in Newport most of her life until moving to Springfield, Vermont in 2011.

Beth graduated from Newport High School with the class of 1978 and shifted her employment status from part to full time at McCrillis & Eldredge Insurance Inc, her only employer for her entire working life. Her choice of field combined with a strong dedication to work allowed for many interactions within the community. Beth was a firm believer in the importance of healthy customer service and built many friendships in her 45 years of employment for the Main Street business. 

In 1981 she welcomed her first child Shannon Martin into the world, years later she provided her with a brother, Justin Martin. Being a mother was Beth’s purpose in life and providing love & support to her children was her largest ambition. In 2006 Beth became a grandmother by the birth of Cayden Forand, a love filled relationship between Noni and Cayden began and was one of her fondest family relationships. 

In the year 2000 Beth accepted the warm & strong hand belonging to Bob in marriage. The October event where they exchanged vows was reflected on several times over the years due to her having one of the finer days of her life. The love story that evolved with each day together would prove as a testament to her happiness. 

Family was the strongest value in her beliefs and thankfully her only sister Lyn was always close by. The Thompson girls were the closest siblings that many of us have ever known. Beth was forever grateful for the support her sister and family provided as the two of them raised their families.

Entertaining others with food and fellowship was one of Beth’s favorite things to do, a close second was going out to eat. She also enjoyed camping with friends, kayaking on different waters in the twin state area, concert going, cooking, holding babies, antique shops, socializing over a good cocktail, her fireplace, pets, lounging in & around a pool or sauna, a fresh snowfall and gift giving. Beth deserves much credit for the loving home her & Bob shared. She was always decorating with the seasons, planting flowers, cleaning, cooking and filling the air with scrumptious aromas and love. Her kitchen was her happy place and the entire dwelling will miss her presence. 

Heavy hearted surviving family members include husband Bob, daughter Shannon Martin & fiancé Pete Cadenhead, grandson Cayden Forand, son Justin Martin, sister Lyn Luft & husband David, nephew Ian Benson & wife Kaiti Tuthilll, niece Emily Benson & boyfriend James Bangrazi and their children Laila & Travis, uncle Maurice Dudley Bickford & wife June, stepfather Stephan Hall and stepmother Kathy Thompson.

She was predeceased by her father Laurence Thompson in the year 2000, her loving mother Jean Elizabeth Hall in 2016 and her grandparents Maurice (1994) and Elizabeth “Betty” (Reed) Bickford (2014).

Services for Beth will be held on Saturday November 5th at the South Congregational Church at 20 Church street Newport, NH at 1:00 PM. The family requests and welcomes your presence afterwards at the Loyal Order Of Moose located at 18 Golf Club Road in Newport to remember and celebrate Beth’s contribution to our many lives. 

One wish that Beth shared with family when conversations allowed was her desire to have her dearest friends come together for a celebration should she ever leave this world as we know it. Sadness was a forbidden emotion in her home and she wanted to ensure a day of recognizing her life was not filled with it. This will be a wish that we will not be able to fully honor in the coming days as her departure is sudden but as we heal in time, there will be a date selected early summer to fulfill her selfless wish. 

Wishes for healing came from areas afar during her onset of illness. Her charming, caring and compassionate personality touched many wherever she had an opportunity to expose it. Friends of family members have flooded Beth’s loved ones with concern, support and love, several sincere acts of kindness have been on display that would bring her great joy. Her best friend describes her as a kind and loving soulmate that shared her sparkling personality with anybody in her presence. 

Finally per Beth’s desire to help others in lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Beth’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org

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