Marilyn D. (Brunelli) Bettencourt, of Cumberland, RI and Titusville, FL, passed away on March 15, 2021, after many years-long battles with cancer and its complications. She was the beloved wife of Philip Bettencourt.
Marilyn was born September 14, 1943 in Norwood, MA, the daughter of the late Louis P. and Sylvia E. (Cote) Brunelli, and sister to Robert L. Brunelli (deceased). She was raised in Franklin, MA, and in 1963 became a long-time resident of Wrentham MA, and a seasonal resident of Titusville, FL and Cumberland RI.
Educated in Franklin, Cumberland and Framingham, MA, Marilyn also attended Dean College and UMass Boston. She was a long-time employee of Wrentham Developmental Center, and donated much of her time to the fundraising events of the “Friends of Wrentham1”.
Upon relocating to Florida, Marilyn volunteered at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville and eventually became the Finance Officer on the Board of Directors; fundraising at the Museum to perpetuate the history of WWII aviation and to assure the memory of those who gave their lives in service to their country.
Marilyn was also a member of the Tri-Boro Corvette Club of Massachusetts and the Cape Kennedy Corvette Club of Florida, again fundraising for various charities that these clubs sponsored.
Marilyn enjoyed spending time with her grandsons and was an enthusiastic fan of the Pop Warner and KP Regional High School football games. She was an avid fan of the New England Patriots.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two daughters, Elizabeth A. Ware of San Diego CA and Cheryl L. (Ware) Dittrich of Wrentham, grandsons William (Billy) W. Dittrich, and Andrew W. Dittrich. She is also survived by sisters Susan A. Brunelli Shair of Suffern, NY and Elizabeth A. Brunelli, North Providence, RI, as well as two nieces, Carolyn A. Shair Kolybine of New York City and Margaret C. Shair of Suffern, NY.
She is also survived by her three step-daughters, Michelle Bettencourt, Rene Bettencourt, and Rachel Castello, and six step-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral Friday March 19th at 9AM from the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home, 33 Cottage Street, followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Franklin at 10AM. To view the Mass click stmarysfranklin.org
Interment will follow at Center Cemetery, Wrentham, MA.
Calling hours are Thursday from 5-8PM.
Face coverings are required at the funeral home, church and cemetery.
Due to COVID-19 there will not be a reception following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Friends of Wrentham Incorporated Po Box 144 Wrentham, MA 02093.
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