Mary Elizabeth “Betty” (Kelliher) Bangs, 95, of Marshfield, MA died on Friday, December 24, 2010.
Mrs. Bangs was born in Malden, MA to Hugh and Abigail Kelliher. Twin sister of Marjorie (Kelliher) Riggs, of Montana, (formerly of Melrose, MA), wife of the late Edward C. Bangs, mother of John “Jack” Bangs of Marshfield, MA, Paul F. Bangs and his wife Pamela of Highgate Springs, Vermont, and Edward C. “Ned” Bangs, Jr. of Plymouth, MA. Grandmother of Sarah L. Bangs of Albany, New York, and Rebecca L. (Bangs) Wilson and her husband Aaron of Fairfax, VT, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Betty grew up in Melrose, MA, graduating from Melrose High School and Wheelock College, class of 1936. Betty taught first grade with her sister in Melrose prior to moving to Marshfield in 1956.
As her children grew Betty returned to her calling, teaching in the Marshfield Public Schools starting with the Eames Way School and continuing with the Alamo. Betty was part of the staff who opened the Daniel Webster School, and a few years later the Governor Winslow School. After more than 25 years of service, Betty retired from teaching in June 1982.
While teaching at the Daniel Webster School Betty assisted with school vacation programs, Head Start and other school events. Betty also enjoyed working with Coach Anderson, as a Head Counselor at Camp Daniel Webster.
Betty was active in the Marshfield Community, running the Marshfield Boys Baseball Snack Bar, heading up a Cub Scout den, assisting Saint Ann by the Sea as part of the Ladies Sodality. Betty was also a talented crafts person, building a dry sink and a coffee table, which are still used today.
In her retirement, Betty became active with the Saint Ann “Crafters” and served as a Eucharistic Minister. She was a member of the Duxbury Pool AquaSize, 60 Plus Club, the Red Hat Society, and was inducted into the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International in 1980. She as a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and a member of Saint Ann by the Sea for more than 50 years.
Betty was an avid traveler, enjoying yearly trips to Europe with her husband, flying to Florida for winter escapes with her sister Marjorie and regular trips to Vermont to spend time with her grand children. Betty was a participant in many Marshfield Recreation Department trips, more recently an October bus and train trip to Vermont.
Gardening was a pastime; she enjoyed her own garden, the Marshfield Farmers Market, reading and the Boston sports scene. A season ticket holder to the New England Patriots, she also enjoyed watching the Boston Red Sox.
Betty was a true fighter; she was a 16 year cancer survivor and enjoyed attending the Marshfield Relay for Life.
Since moving to Marshfield, dogs were a part of her life, providing protection and companionship. More recently Millie, a golden retriever (rescue dog) was the joy of her life.
Friends and relatives are invited to a wake to be held at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA., Wednesday, December 29, from 4 – 7 p.m. A funeral mass celebrating the life of Betty Bangs will be held on Thursday, December 30, at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Ann by the Sea, 591 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA. Internment will be at the Coach Cemetery following the mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saint Ann by the Sea Building Fund. 591 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA. 02050