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Elizabeth A. 'Betty' Phillips (Smith) Hampden, MA QCWA # 31388 Chapter |112| |
Elizabeth 'Betty' Ann (Smith) Phillips died on June 10, 2015, at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, MA. Born in Brooklyn, NY to the late George F. and Louise C. Smith, she was a graduate of James Madison High School and received her BS in Education from the State University of New York. She received her MA in Education from the American International College in Springfield, MA.
Betty began her career as a 4th grade teacher in Wilbraham and then taught Kindergarten at Green Meadows Elementary School for 22 years where she skillfully made original wooden jigsaw puzzles for each of her students before retiring in 1992.
Betty enjoyed life and had many interests: reading, gardening, travel, music, and flying. She received her pilot.s license in 1992 and reached her goal of landing at every airport in Massachusetts, including Logan International.
She and her late husband, Yorke Peter, transported numerous patients for Air Lifeline. She was an active member of WRONE, the 99s, and the Wilbraham Women.s Chorus. She was also an active member of the Federated Community Church of Hampden where she served as a Deacon and sang in the choir.
Betty was pre-deceased by her husband, Yorke Peter, her grade-school sweetheart, whom she married in Brooklyn, NY in 1953; her sisters Eloise Wolfersteig and Georgette McCoy; her sisters-in-law Wanda Phillips, Joan Nash and her husband Bob. She leaves a daughter, Christine A. and her husband Bryon of Tewksbury, MA; a son Yorke C. and his wife Susan of Foxborough, MA; and a son Roger C. of Ludlow, MA; six grandchildren: Joshua and Michael Williams, Hannah and Hayden Phillips, Trevor and Christian Phillips; and a great-grand-daughter Jamie Beth Williams. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law George Phillips and his wife Jody of CO, Thomas Phillips and his wife Elaine of CT, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to acknowledge the people of the Hampden Senior Center and the staff of Kind Hands Care at Home for the countless hours of love, care and support provided in recent years. Calling hours will be Friday, June 19, from 4 to 7 pm, at Byron Keenan Funeral Home, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, MA 01118.
Committal will be at the Old Cemetery in Hampden, June 20, at 10 am followed by a Memorial Service celebrating Betty.s life at 11 am at the Federated Community Church of Hampden.
All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Angel Flight North East, Inc., 492 Sutton Street, North Andover, MA 01845 or the Federated Community Church of Hampden, 590 Main Street-PO Box 246, Hampden, MA 01036.