Elizabeth Ann (Holmes) Covell of Eastham, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in her home on December 26, 2023. She was the daughter of Lester and Susan Holmes and grew up in a large family with 4 sisters and 2 brothers. Elizabeth was second to the youngest in the family.
Elizabeth was born in Dover, New Hampshire in 1927, and spent her younger years in Worcester (Mass.), eventually moving with her family to Maine and graduating from Waterboro High School in 1945. After High School, she settled in Boston and completed her Nursing Degree at the New England Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in 1949.
Elizabeth was married to Phanuel Bishop Covell Jr, of Worcester, Mass. Their wedding took place in Alfred, Maine in June of 1950. Bishop was a Baptist Minister, and the couple began their married life in an apartment in Brighton, Mass. and continued with stops in Peabody, Mass (1951-1957), Auburn, Maine (1958-1967) and Warwick, Rhode Island (1968-1992).
Elizabeth would immerse herself in the church community, joyfully singing in the choir and leading various church committees. In 1993, Bishop and Elizabeth retired and moved permanently to the Cape, settling in their summer home in Eastham and becoming active members of the Brewster Baptist Church. Her husband sadly passed in December 2005.
Though tirelessly devoted to her faith and the churches she served, Elizabeth was most proud of her 6 children. Son Timothy is her oldest, followed by Peter, then Jonathan, David was next, Jean (finally!) arrived, and James was the youngest. All named from references in the Bible! Timothy (Kim), Peter (Ellen), James (Nancy) currently reside in Eastham with their families, Jean (Leighton) lives in Orleans, while Jonathan (Sue) is in Brewster, Mass, and David (Diana) lives in Saunderstown, RI.
From 1981 to 2007, 13 Grandchildren were born into the Covell extended family. Erin and Ben (Tim and Kim), Allison and Sarah (Pete and Ellen), Jess and Katie (Jon and Sue), Alicia, Jared, Jake (David and Diana), Megan and Jenny (Jean and Jeff Leyton), Kai and Samantha (Jim and Nancy). Birthday Celebrations, Fourth of July Cookouts and Christmas Parties kept expanding every year, much to the delight of the Matriarch of the family!
From 2009 to 2023, 8 Great-Grandchildren entered the Covell world, lighting up Grammie’s magical blue eyes with every new addition. Grammie adored each of the Great-Grandchildren: Max, Elizabeth, Gabriel (Erin and David Cronen), Vivienne and Thomas (Allie and Chris Dupont), Seamus (Sarah and Matt Schroth), Ari (Jessie and Brandon Raneo) and Addie (Katie and Gus Wollenberg).
While faith and family formed the center of her world, Mom managed to find the time to enjoy several hobbies and interests. She loved to sing and play the organ. In retirement, Mom was most at peace while working in her garden, growing both flowers and vegetables each summer was her passion. Every family visitor would make a beeline to her Cookie Jar, for one of Grammie’s Hermits, Whoopie Pies, Toll House Cookies or perhaps a new Chocolate Square recipe she was trying.
She was a role model of human kindness for all who were blessed to know her, and her memory will stay with each of us until we meet her again in Heaven.
Elizabeth’s family and friends are welcomed to attend her Celebration of Life at Brewster Baptist Church on Saturday, January 27th at 1:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed to the organization of your choice, including VNA Hospice and Palliative Care of Cape Cod, The American Heart Association and The Alzheimer's Association of Cape Cod. For online condolences, visit www.nickersonfunerals.com
