1930 - 2018
Visitation
October 12, 20183-7 pm
Dolan Funeral Home
Funeral
October 13, 201811:00 am
St. Mary Church, 25 North Rd. Chelmsford, MA 01824
Betty A. Leary, 88, formerly of Chelmsford, MA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 surrounded by her family at Mary Immaculate Nursing and Restorative Center in Lawrence, MA.
She was married to the late John F. Leary for 58 years.
Born in Orange, NJ on May 13, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Winthrop J. and Anna Grace Colson. Betty was raised in Winthrop MA and graduated from Winthrop High School with the class of 1947.
A resident of Chelmsford from 1962, she stayed at home to raise her 5 children. Later in life she worked for Filenes Department Store and The New England Insurance Company, retiring in 1992. Betty was an avid golfer and tennis player. You could find her playing golf at Chelmsford Country Club on Tuesday afternoon with her friends and playing tennis in Tewksbury at Trull Brook. She enjoyed flying with her husband John, going to the theatre and traveling; some of her favorite trips were to Bermuda, Italy, Paris and London. Later in life she took up painting and her creative art hangs in the homes of all her children. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, whether vacationing in Ocean Park Maine or on Lake Winnipesaukee she was always up for an adventure. She was a selfless wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.
She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church where she was on the Social Committee.
Betty is survived by her sister, Nancy Pullo of Overland Park, KS, two sons and two daughters-in-law, Frank and Carri Leary of West Bloomfield, MI, Jack and Lisa Leary of Chelmsford, MA; two daughters and a son-in-law, Janice Loughman and Jennifer and Paul Silverman, ten grandchildren, Christine, Daniel, Meghan, Erin, Kathryn, John III, Colson, Taylor, Nicole and Lauren; eight great grandchildren, Ryan, Grace, Kelsie, Addison, Emma, Jeffrey, James, Kinsley with more to come.
She was the mother of the late Mark Leary, who died in September of 2010.
Visiting hours will be Fri., Oct. 12th 3 to 7 P.M. Funeral Sat. at 10:00am from the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME, 106 MIDDLESEX ST. CHELMSFORD, with a funeral Mass at 11:00am at St. Mary Church, 25 North Rd., Chelmsford, MA 01824. Burial in the Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford. Memorials may be made in Betty’s memory to the Alzheimer Unit at The Mary Immaculate Nursing and Restorative Center, 171 Lawrence Street Lawrence, MA 01841. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041. Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com
Dan Thibeault
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My deepest sympathies to the entire Leary Family. At this difficult moment, always remember that Betty lives on through each of you….
Barbara M. Arruda
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My sincerest condolences to you all on the passing of your mom. Betty was a lovely woman whom I enjoyed seeing in and around Chelmsford. It’s been many years but I remember all of you from Ruthellen Road. The memories of happier times will bring comfort to your family.
Brett Wells
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Jan, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Pauline Rouillard
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I was so sad to hear of your mother’s passing. I grew up with Betty in Winthrop and we had a great group of friends. I remember graduation night we all ended up at her house all night and went sailing the next day. Such wonderful memories. I cannot make the wake or funeral as I do not drive any distance but I wanted you to know how much we all thought of her.
Much love,
Pauline Rouillard
Carol Comins
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Dear Jack, Janice and Jennifer,
I am so sorry I missed the wake and funeral. I just saw the notice tonight (Monday). I loved your mother. She was always so kind and welcoming to me. As a young woman I looked up to her as a role model. She was supportive of all her children, and their friends. Her home was always open to all of us. I remember her and John as a very loving couple. You were blessed to have her live to see your children and their children. My heartfelt sympathy to you and yours. Sincerely, Carol Kivlan Comins