Southbridge: Ruth T. (Chauncey) Betz, better known as Dee Dee by family and friends passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025. She leaves a son Jonathan Betz of Missouri; a daughter Danielle Betz of Worcester; grandchildren Selma Lou, Tiberius, and Kheleesi; siblings David, Wayne, Ernest, Linda, and Gail; and many nieces nephews and friends. She was predeceased by siblings Joseph, Frederick, and Carol.
Dee Dee was born in Worcester, the 9th child of Rita (Tetreault) and Frederick Chauncey. She graduated from North High School in 1979, Becker Jr. College in 1982, and Path Practical Nursing Program in 2015. She worked as an LPN for several local nursing homes over the years.
Dee Dee liked to bake and sweets were her favorites. She taught Wilton cake decorating and candy making at the local craft store. She also liked to have fun, play cards, games, and decorate for parties and holidays. She especially enjoyed doing craft projects with her sisters and staying up all night laughing, joking, dropping things and burning fingers. Those are the memories she remembers most. Her greatest final party will be attending her wake and funeral which she planned every detail with her family, friends, love, and “her way” in mind.
She will be celebrating her new life in heaven (she hopes) beginning at Nordgren Memorial Chapel 300 Lincoln St. Worcester, MA on Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 11 a.m.- 1 pm. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m at the funeral home. She will be cremated “so I can be warm forever” before being laid to rest in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton, to catch up on sleep for all the days she stayed awake all night “doing stuff”.
She thanked and praised God for all His miracles when she needed them most during her “fight”. But she also thanked God for giving her natural born gifts of being left handed and having light green eyes which would either shock people into commenting or scare them away. Ha Ha Ha. Her final words to everyone is be kind, give freely to help others, don’t forget those who have passed (they will haunt you anyway, I know she will) and love your family like its their last day. Big hugs to all of you from Dee Dee.
Oh, if you would like to donate, please do so to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Milford, MA or Bay Path High School Practical Nursing Program. For directions or to leave an online condolence message, please click guestbook link.