BEVERLEY JOAN AUSTIN COLES

Beverley Joan Austin Coles passed away on February 22, 2026, at the age of 94. Born on November 15, 1931, Bev lived a long life full of music, family, and friends. She lived in Toronto when she was young and met Jim Coles when they both played violin in an elementary school orchestra. She became a teacher and taught at Dawes Road, Selwyn-St. Clair, and Bennington Heights Public Schools, married Jim, then raised a family while playing in and helping to manage numerous community and professional orchestras in Toronto, Ottawa, and Kingston. Bev was predeceased by her husband Jim and sister Eileen. She leaves her children David (Deborah), Randall (Heather), Janice, and Martin (Jay), six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and two nieces. Bev will also be missed by her many friends. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. at James Reid Funeral Home, 1900 John Counter Blvd., Kingston, ON. A service will be held on Saturday, March 28, at 11 a.m. at St. George's Cathedral, 270 King Street East, Kingston, ON. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Bev's name to the Kingston Community Strings' Coles Scholarship Fund for young musicians, administered by the Kingston Symphony Association.