Beatrice L.T. Strong, 85

    Beatrice Lorraine Terry Strong, who lived in Wainscott for many years with her husband, Douglas Pierson Strong, and raised a family there, died on Tuesday in Albemarle, N.C., where she had lived for several years. She was 85 and had Alzheimer’s disease, her family said.

    As a New York Telephone Company switchboard operator, Ms. Strong’s voice would have been familiar to several generations of South Fork residents. Later in her working life, she was the switchboard operator at Southampton Hospital.

    She was born on Aug. 4, 1927, at Southampton Hospital to John Beckman Terry and the former Beatrice Evelyn Garypie. She grew up in Sag Harbor, though she graduated from Islip High School.

    She and Mr. Strong married in January 1948, and she joined him on his Wainscott potato farm, their daughter, Terry L. Widmeyer of Richfield, N.C., said. Days on the farm included lots of canning and baking, her daughter said. She also loved to knit and crochet, and was a leader of her children’s Brownie and Cub Scout packs. She was a member of the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church.

    In addition to Ms. Widmeyer, she is survived by her husband and two sons, Douglas P. Strong of Southwick, Mass., and James E. Strong of Leslie, Mich., as well as by 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. A brother, Robert E. Terry, died before her.

    The Rev. Joe Smith of Immanuel Baptist Church will conduct her funeral at the Stanly Funeral Home in Albemarle, N.C., tomorrow at 11 a.m.

    Visiting hours will be Monday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in Sag Harbor. A graveside service will follow at Wainscott Cemetery.

    The family has suggested memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, No. 999, Charlotte, N.C. 28215-3220.