Elizabeth “Betty” A. (Spakowski) Balzotti passed away peacefully with family by her side on July 20, 2016 at Copley at Stoughton after a lengthy illness. She was 88. Born in Boston, she was a lifelong resident of Brockton. She was a woman dedicated to family, faith and community.
Following her graduation from St. Patrick’s High School in 1946, she went to work for the New England Telephone Company. She left shortly after the birth of her first child but returned in 1970s and retired in 1989 after 25 years of service. Following that retirement, she returned to work at the Law Office of Vincent P. Cahalane, where she spent 11 years.
Betty was also known affectionately as the “Cake Lady.” For years, many Brocktonians and those in the surrounding towns celebrated special occasions with a cake made and decorated by Betty Balzotti. Neighbors recalled how outside the house it always smelled like cakes baking and around high school graduation time there was never a flat surface in the house that wasn’t covered by cakes.
She will be known by her family and friends for her great work for so many charities. Whether it was birthday cakes for the V.A. hospital patients, baked goods for a cake sale for someone in need, or goodies to give to friends heading out on vacation. Her kids knew not to touch any baked goods on the dining room table because they were sure to be for someone else.
A lifelong parishioner of St. Margaret’s Church, she was honored in 2002 for having taught CCD for 50 years. She also served as a Eucharist Minister. She became active at Our Lady of Lourdes parish following the closure of St. Margaret’s. She was an active member of the St. Margaret’s Women’s Guild and Sodality, The New England Telephone Pioneers and the Sons of Italy Christopher Columbus Lodge #216 of Brockton.
Betty would give whatever she had to anyone in need. She raised countless amounts of money for telephone company employees facing hardship. As a member of the Telephone Pioneers she volunteered to help with their monthly dinners at Main Spring House.
She was the devoted wife of the late Genesio J. Balzotti and loving mother to the late Mary Balzotti Valente. She leaves her children Linda M. Balzotti of Brockton, Gina Balzotti Sheridan (Gary) of Hanover, James R. Balzotti of Brockton and her beloved granddaughters Emily and Kathryn Sheridan of Hanover. Her sister Evelyn Harkins of Brockton and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Gloria Jenkinson.
Visiting hours will held in the Conley Funeral Home 138 Belmont Street (rte. 123) Brockton on Monday 4-7pm. A procession will gather at the funeral home on Tuesday at 9 am for a funeral Mass in Christ the King Church at 10am. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to My Brother’s Keeper, P.O. Box 338, Easton, MA 02356-0338.