Beatrice B. Waring Obituary

Beatrice (Shopp) Waring, 95, of Rockport, died peacefully at home with her family on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

Bea (or as she was known to her Miss America family, BeBe) was born in Illinois and grew up in Hopkins, Minnesota. At 18, she became the first Miss Minnesota and then won the Miss America Pageant in 1948. With her scholarship, she graduated from the Manhattan School of Music, with a BA in percussion. She was actively involved with the Miss America Organization for 78 years, including judging, emceeing, and mentoring young women. Bea was very supportive of our troops her entire life and was especially proud of her time touring with the USO in Afghanistan.

After her reign as Miss America, she married Bayard Waring and settled in Lynnfield, Massachusetts and Weston, Connecticut where she grew her family and raised four daughters. In Connecticut she ran the Spinning Wheel Inn restaurant for 8 years with her husband. In the 1970's, Bea and Bayard moved to Rockport, MA where she became very active in the community. As a lay minister at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, she ran morning prayer and was a member of the vestry. She served as Chair of the Board of Gloucester Stage for many years, played percussion in the Cape Ann Symphony and sang in the local singing group, "Share the Music".

Bea loved entertaining and hosting family and friends. From organizing Easter egg hunts for the grandkids (and great grandkids), to hosting spaghetti dinners every Christmas Eve, her home was always a hub of activity and welcoming to all. She loved to travel and experience the world. Most recently, she cruised down the Danube and took a solo train ride across Canada. Her joy for living and zest for adventure were an example to all of us who knew and loved her.

She had a quick wit and was always available to tell you her truth, whether you liked it or not. She could be heard telling those she loved to stand up straight, be quiet so she could hear better, and she was never caught unprepared - even mowing the lawn in her lipstick. She had the ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, making them feel special, always had a speech or a prayer ready and could be counted on to keep a secret. She was the epitome of a classy lady.

She was predeceased by her parents, Edward & Beatrice Shopp and husband of 69 years, Bayard Waring. She is survived by daughters Kimberly Wright (William), Laurie Kelly (Jay), Myalisa Waring, and Wendy Waring (John Hillner). She has 10 grandchildren: Amy Larson, Lindsey Corrigan, Allison Wright, David Somers, Bryan Kelly, James Wright, Brad Kelly, Debra Freedman, Nick Kennedy, Jack Hiller, and 13 great grandchildren. Her family was her greatest joy and, in her opinion, her greatest achievement.

Visiting hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, on Wednesday, October 15, from 4:00pm-7:00 pm. Funeral Service will be held at the First Baptist Church, 4 High Street, Rockport on Thursday October 16 at 11:00am. Burial will follow at Beech Grove Cemetery, Rockport. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Pathways for Children, Gloucester Stage Company, or St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Rockport.