Beverly Baker Thombs

Scarborough – Beverly Baker Thombs, passed away peacefully on February 3rd, surrounded by her loving family. Beverly was born in Portland, Maine, on September 1, 1940.

Bev, as many knew her, graduated as valedictorian of the South Portland High School Class of 1958. She attended Smith College as a pre-medical student and later graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts. She earned her Master of Education from the University of Southern Maine in 1977.

Bev was a dedicated English and foreign language teacher, with a proficiency in French. She began her teaching career at Mahoney Junior High School in South Portland in 1972 and retired in 2004. For a period, she taught English at South Portland High School. She was known for her care for students and her commitment to clear thinking, careful language, and high standards. She also served on numerous academic committees, including teacher certification and the Gifted and Talented program in South Portland Schools.

As a dedicated volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, she supported families with children in the NICU at Maine Medical Center.

Bev enjoyed sewing, knitting, and quilting, creative activities that brought her great joy and allowed her to share her love with others. She found both pleasure and solace in music and played the piano throughout her life.

As a skilled and avid gardener, she took great pride in her gardens at home and shared her passion with others in the community through her involvement in the Scarborough Garden Club. Her love of flowers and creativity is reflected in her work in the Garden of Hope at the Maine Cancer Center in Scarborough.

Bev was a devoted wife, mother, stepmother, and grandmother, and she touched many lives with her strength, wisdom, and generosity.

She is survived by her husband of 40 years, William P. Thombs of Scarborough; her children, Michael J. Theriault and his daughter Ariel; and Diane E. Cassellius and her husband, Kelsey, and their children, Lauren, Samuel, Benjamin, William, and Chase; and her stepchildren, Christopher Thombs; Anne Harvey and her husband, Robert, and their children, Isabelle, Jack, Max, and Carson; Stephen Thombs and his daughter, Charlotte; Patrick Thombs and his wife, Joella, and their children, Trevor and Scarlett; and Sarah Eastman and her husband, Russell, and their children, Ryan and Catherine.

She is preceded in death by her father, John M. Baker and mother, Dorothy M. Cain, as well as her late husband, Edward H. Theriault.

Bev will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her, and her legacy will live on through the memories we share, the values she upheld, and the love she gave so freely.

Bev’s family would like to thank the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in her name to Hospice of Southern Maine, www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/donate; or the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, https://arlgp.org/donate/making-a-memorial-gift/.

A brief memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 10:00am at Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland, Maine, followed by visiting hours 11:00am to 2:00pm. To view the livestream of the service, please visit www.facebook.com/ConroyTullyWalker at 9:45am.

A larger celebration of Bev’s life and interment will take place later this spring or early summer.