HOLYOKE- Elizabeth "Betty" Jane (Harwood) Gregory, 67, died with dignity Monday at the Kindred Hospital in Springfield, surrounded by her loving family.
Born Jan. 11, 1945, in Elmira, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late John and Harriet (Grannis) Harwood.
Betty graduated from Elmira Free Academy High School in 1963 and from the Beardsley School of Business in 1965. In 1979, the Gregory family moved to Leeds. Betty was employed for many years at the Hampshire County Long Term Care Facility, the Hampshire County VNA, and the Valley Medical Group.
She was a member of the Northampton Veterans Council, American Red Cross and the Boy Scout Council of Western Mass. In 1992, she ran for Ward 7 City Councilor, served as President of the Florence Business and Civic Association from 1993-1995, and was appointed by the Mayor in 1994 to the Town's Appointment Advisory Committee. She further served on the Board of Directors of the Leeds Civic Association and was President from 1992 to 1994.
As her children grew, Betty was a surrogate mother to all of their friends. Affectionately known as "Mrs. G," she would look after everyone who stopped by and kept them smiling with her great sense of humor. Betty and her husband Chuck remained active with Northampton sports boosters, always supporting their children's athletic activities. Most recently, Betty loved playing cards with her friends at East Mountain Country Club.
A beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Betty leaves her husband, Charles; her three children, Douglas Gregory and his wife Heidi of Rochester, N.Y., Steve Gregory and his wife Linda of Milford, Conn., Joellyn Warren and her husband Nathaniel of Lancaster, Penn; her six grandchildren from whom she derived great pride and joy, Johanna, Meghan, Daniel, Mason, Dylan and Emily.
Growing up, Betty summered in Maine every year from the age of three until she was married. The family maintains a residence on the island of Islesboro, Maine in the Penobscot Bay. A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family at the Second Baptist Church in Islesboro, Maine, with her final resting place at the Greenwood Cemetery at Freewill Baptist Church.
