In Memoriam

Photo of Beverly DeGray
Beverly DeGray

Beverly DeGray, a retired Middlebury staff member who worked at the College for more than 40 years, died on September 10 at age 86.

DeGray was born in Ripton, Vermont, on November 27, 1937, to Joseph and Cora (Smith) Dragon. She attended Ripton Hollow School and graduated from Middlebury High School in 1955. She worked at various jobs before joining her husband, Rodney, at Middlebury College’s food service in 1957.

When Proctor Hall opened in 1960, DeGray became manager of the Crest Room and continued in that role until she retired in 2000. Her family notes that over her 43 years as a College staff member, she made lifelong connections with many students and graduates would often return to campus and seek her out for a visit at the Crest Room.

Following her retirement, DeGray worked as a cashier at the College bookstore from 2003 to 2017, and for several years as an exam monitor.

“Bev had an enormous impact on the tone of this place,” said Karl Lindholm ’67, former dean of students, who knew DeGray for most of her Middlebury career. “She was the face of the Crest Room or wherever else she worked in Dining Services—an institution. She had a smile and a good word for everyone, and was unrelentingly positive and friendly. Students loved her—she invariably remembered them and knew their names. She brightened anyone’s day.”

DeGray’s devotion to her work and to Middlebury students was felt throughout the College. In 1995, the Student Government Association honored DeGray and her husband with the creation of the annual Rodney and Beverly DeGray Staff Appreciation Award in recognition of staff members who “go above and beyond their role for the betterment of Middlebury students.” Rodney was the first Middlebury College staff member to complete 50 years of service.

Her remarkable legacy lives on through many family and extended-family members who have worked, or continue to work, on the College staff through the years. In addition to her husband, Rodney, these include daughter Tae DeGray and son-in-law Justin Allen; sisters Marie Warner and Dawn Boise; brothers Ellsworth and Joseph Dragon; and granddaughter Brook Warner.

“Everyone knew Bev—she had such a presence,” said Maggie Paine ’79, director of Advancement communications. “As a student, I worked for her, scooping ice cream at the Crest Room, which was then a snack bar in Proctor. Bev was a wonderful supervisor—warm, encouraging, supportive, but also clear. She had high standards, and she made sure the Crest Room was run efficiently. Even many years later, when I’d come to campus, Bev would greet me by name and with a hug.”

DeGray is survived by her daughters, Kim DeGray (Charlie Liberty) of Salisbury and Tae DeGray (Justin Allen) of Middlebury; grandchildren, Brooke Warner of Pittsford and Shelby Monica of Middlebury; brothers Michael Dragon and Joseph (Kelly) Dragon; and sisters, Marie Cousineau-Warner and Dawn (Bryan) Boise.

She was predeceased by her husband, Rodney, her grandson, Jeremiah Warner, and her brother Ellsworth Dragon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to AgeWell@Agewellvt.org, AgeWell, 39 Court St. in Middlebury, or to the charity of one’s choice.