POULTNEY ? Orba Jean Beer, 80, of Poultney, VT, died February 7, 2007, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, after a long battle with cancer. Orba was born on November 11, 1926, in Howland Township, Ohio, the daughter of Carl C. and Bernice (Kennedy) Jones. She was a graduate of Howland High School, and attended Claire Tree Major's Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pleasantville, NY. There she met her future husband, Walter R. Beer Jr., who was a lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserves, then on active duty. They were married at Howland Christian Church on September 13, 1953. In 1956, they moved to Wallingford, VT, where they owned and operated the Rogers House, a country inn. Orba acted in most of the Rotary plays during their time in Wallingford. In 1968, they moved to Poultney.
Orba was a homemaker most of her married life; however, she worked for a number of years at Journal Press Inc., where she made many dear friends. Music was a cherished avocation of hers. She was the organist at the South Wallingford Union Church and then at the Poultney United Methodist Church, where she had also been active in the choir. She was, for many years, an active member and past president of the Poultney Woman's Club, as well as serving as the Vermont Federation of Women's Clubs state secretary, vice chairman of the Southwest District and conservation chairman. She was also a Poultney village trustee from 1985-1995, the last four years of which she served as president.
Orba was predeceased by an older brother, Leslie Earl Jones, and a younger sister, Ruth Alice Jones. Surviving is her older sister, Gertrude Irene Clark of Howland. She is also survived by her husband of 53 years, Walter R. Beer Jr.; daughters, Kimberly Jean DeSieno of Columbia, SC, and Leslie Beer Pauquette of Poultney; and three grandchildren, Alexandra Beth Pauquette, Katelin Michelle DeSieno and Jordan Richard Pauquette.
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