Elizabeth A. “Betty” Santry, 87, of Chatham formerly of Orleans, passed away peacefully at Liberty Commons on February 12, 2020 after a brief illness, with her family by her side.
Betty was born in South Boston on May 20, 1932, the daughter of Libby (Noonan) and Tom McLaughlin. She loved growing up in Southie. Betty was a loyal Red Sox fan, and as a girl would walk from Southie to Fenway Park to listen to the games. On June 16, 1956 Betty married Robert E. “Bob” Santry. They were inseparable from that day forward. Betty and Bob moved to Connecticut in 1956 and ultimately settled in the town of Monroe.
Betty and Bob traveled all around the world, and enjoyed annual summer vacations on Cape Cod, but her favorite destination was South Boston where visits with family were abundant with lots of love and laughter. After retiring to Cape Cod in 1990, Betty and Bob lived in the house they built in Wellfleet, then moved to Orleans in 1998. She enjoyed socializing with friends that she met through the Dining In/Dining Out Clubs; Orleans Yacht Club; various bridge clubs; and Nauset Garden Club. She enjoyed the arts, and loved the beach—Betty and Bob took daily rides (leaving at 3:00 sharp!) to either Skaket or Nauset to gaze out at the ocean.
Betty was fiercely devoted to Bob. She cared for him at home after he suffered a stroke in 2001, until he moved to Liberty Commons on November 11, 2016. Betty suffered a stroke four days later, and joined Bob at Liberty where they shared a room, and she continued to put his needs before her own.
Betty will be lovingly remembered by her family and friends as a remarkable force who lived life to the fullest. She was fun, feisty, and renowned for “speaking without a filter.” Most of all, Betty was warm and kind. If you knew her, you loved her. She was happiest spending time with her family, and created myriad special memories for them that they will cherish forever.
Betty adored, and will be forever missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her beloved husband, Bob, and their four children: Bob Santry and wife Susan of Middlebury, VT; Louise Santry of Quincy, MA; Patty Moody and husband Tom of Shelton, CT; and Kathy Gallant and husband Scott of Bowdoinham, ME. She was a loving Nana to her grandchildren, Danny Moody; Jimmy Moody; Bobby Moody; Joe Haggerty; Kerry Haggerty; Meghan Santry; and great-grandson Liam Haggerty. Betty is also survived by her sisters, Mary Sylvester of South Boston, and Louise Donahue of Miami, FL; several nieces and nephews; dear friends, including Bob Wojnowski of Madison, OH; and her grand-dog, Buddy. Betty was predeceased by her parents; a sister, Ginny Flaherty; and a brother, Tom McLaughlin.
Her family is deeply grateful to the nurses and staff at Liberty Commons and to Broad Reach Hospice for their care, kindness, and compassion.
Visitation will be at St. Brigid’s Church, 841 East Broadway, South Boston, on February 20th at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Nauset Neighbors, PO Box 1716, Orleans, MA 02653 (nausetneighbors.org)