Betty Rose (Hayden) Callahan, age 91, of Brockton died Monday, May 28, 2018, at West Acres Nursing Center. Born in Brockton and raised in Holbrook, she was the daughter of the late Robert A. and Rose W. Hayden. Betty was the wife of Leo Francis Callahan who died in 1969. She later married William J. Powers, Jr. who died in 1990. She graduated from Sumner High School on June 6, 1944 followed by graduation from the Brockton Hospital School of Nursing (1945-1948) where she was educated under the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps program.
She was employed as a Registered Nurse by the Brockton Hospital (now Signature HealthCare) from 1951 until she retired in 1996. She was the night supervisor for many years while her children were young. Her friends and colleagues there called her “Cal.”
Betty had enjoyed bowling, golfing, boating, playing cards, driving her car, watching baseball and hockey, and reading the newspaper. She was known for her fruitcake and mincemeat pies which she made during the winter holidays.
Betty travelled around the world with her fellow nurses, including to Rome, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Bali, Australia and Fiji Islands. A member of various Glee Clubs, she enjoyed singing her entire life. She was a stylish dresser and enjoyed designing and wearing exquisite jewelry. She loved animals, especially cats and elephants.
Known for her empathy, stoicism, cheerfulness, and aphorisms, her wisdom will be missed by her friends and family.
Betty was the mother of Barbara Callahan of Cambridge, James English of California, and the late Eileen Callahan, and grandmother of Adam Smith of Kingston. She was predeceased by Stephen Jennings, her devoted friend and son-in-law.
Visiting Hours will be held in the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton, Saturday, June 2, from 1-3pm followed by a service at 3pm. Burial will be private. Please consider donations in Betty’s name to the Elephant Sanctuary, P.O. Box 393, Hohenwald TN 38462. (www.elephants.com)