Marion Jean “Billie” Beaven, 104, of Guilford, died on Feb. 20 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Billie lived a long and social life. She was born on Dec. 2, 1908, daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Lang Beaven. Billie had celebrated many more birthdays than most and was appreciative of the years she enjoyed.  She was truly astonished that she lived into the new century. 

A  graduate of the Ethical Culture Society and Columbia Teachers’ College in New York City, Billie taught for three years in a private school in New Jersey and then for over 34 years in the Ridgewood, New Jersey public schools.  Several of her former students have remained good friends with her over the years. 

Billie was a long time member of the West Side Presbyterian Church and the Ridgewood Woman's Club.  Known as an excellent hostess, her menu always included something chocolate.  She also travelled extensively and one summer studied photography at the University of Hawaii.  Billie was an avid photographer until her eyesight failed. 

After the death of her sister Nan, Billie moved to The Gables in Guilford, where she resided, with the recent help of her niece Nancie, for the rest of her life.  Her contacts in her later years were mostly by telephone, and her excellent memory allowed her to dial friends in far places and enjoy a good chat. 

Besides her niece Nancie, she is survived by three grandnieces, Jen Beaven-Leibow of Rochester, New York, Tina Pallace of Rochester, New York, and Julie Maddocks of Fort Collins, Colorado, all of them daughters of her late nephew Jack and his widow Janet of Dayton, Ohio. She is also survived by 10 great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews and by her good friends John and Helene Rogers of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Laurie Bastien of San Jose, California, and Denise Yuu of Avon, Connecticut.

A memorial service will be held in New Jersey at a later date. Burial was private. The Keenan Funeral Home, 330 Notch Hill Rd., North Branford is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to send condolences online may do so at www.keenanfuneralhome.com.