Andover - Andover - Born on her father's birthday, Beatrice Lesta Austin came into the world a small bundle with an immense zest for life, the 3rd of 4 children of Lester and Beatrice Austin of Copiague, NY. She spent her childhood swimming in the creek, boating on the Long Island sound with her siblings Elaine, Lee and Les, and she loved to run down to her Grandma's boarding house for teachers to see what delicious homemade treats were hidden under the cake tin.

Bea attended Amityville High School where she was a strong student and a vibrant member of many clubs, squads and teams. Field hockey, tennis, basketball and cheerleading to name a few.

Bea received her bachelor's degree in education from Adelphi University, where she began to stand for ideals in which she believed. She gained notoriety in the local papers, protesting the women's dress code by defiantly wearing pants. Bea went on to teach in early childhood education on Long Island, bringing along her guitar to share her love of music and song with her small charges.

Bea joined the Long Island Centre Ski Club whereupon she met her future husband, Robert Arthur Pfister, of Baldwin NY, as well as a core group of friends who also married. Their first child was born in New York, and then Bea, Bob, and other ski club couples moved to Massachusetts as they expanded their new families, solidifying lifelong friendships.

Bea and Bob Pfister moved to Dalton, MA in 1960, and then to Andover, MA in 1967 to raise their three children, Cort, Robin and Kim. Bea taught at West Elementary School, was a Girl Scout Troop leader and became an active member of Christ Church. At Christ Church she found her lifelong community as a member of the Altar Guild, a volunteer at Andover Thrift Shop and she was active in many other committees over the years.

An avid bird watcher, Bea was a member of the Merrimack Valley Bird Club. A garden enthusiast, she belonged to the Andover Garden Club. As a proud American, she was a dedicated poll worker in Andover for decades. A lover of music and art, Bea also trekked into Boston religiously to watch the BSO open rehearsals on Thursday afternoons and was a lifetime member of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

Always one to value consistent exercise, Bea was a well known fixture walking Candlewood Drive daily and Greenwood Road on Sundays, as well as being a dedicated custodian of the Doyle Trail. Bea taught terrified swim classes at the Andover/North Andover YMCA where she was also a consistent lap swimmer twice a week for over 50 years.

Bea and Bob loved camping/van trips to Cutler, Maine inviting family and friends to enjoy a small slice of land she inherited from her parents. Equally loved were wonderful visits to spend time with family on Long Island in Smithtown, NY.

In 2020 Bea moved to her daughter's home in San Francisco, CA. She became well loved in that neighborhood too, with daily walks to Simple Pleasures Cafe. Bea stayed connected to her beloved Christ Church community remotely through Compline and Sunday service.

Bea is survived and cherished by her 3 children, Cort, Robin and Kim, as well as many nieces and nephews, and beloved extended family from Long Island, New York.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 11 am

Christ Church, 33 Central Street, Andover, MA 01810

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

Esperanza Academy, Inc.

198 Garden Street

Lawrence, MA 01841

www.esperanzaacademy.org.