Elizabeth "Betty" Watton
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Elizabeth "Betty" Watton

  • November 13, 1928 - December 14, 2011
  • Melrose, Massachusetts
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“I was saddened to learn of Betty's passing - I knew her as a young girl, a friend of my Mom's. As a family we would visit Betty and Margaret in...Read More » ”
1 of 4 | Posted by: Lisa (Lerman) Coury - Peabody, MA

“I will miss the wonderful hugs I received meeting you coming or going from our building. Nobody will ever greet me the way to did. Love Mary ”
2 of 4 | Posted by: Mary Fallon - Melrose, MA

“My sincerest condolences to the family of Elizabeth "Betty" Watton. Seeing the obituary of Elizabeth "Betty" Watton evoked a wealth of fond memories....Read More » ”
3 of 4 | Posted by: Dr. Joan Marie Kelly - CT

“Bettie was always there to talk to me whenever the need prevailed. The words of wisdom penitrated my heart, head, and soul because of their very...Read More » ”
4 of 4 | Posted by: maureen collette miller - MA



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Ms. Elizabeth M. "Betty" Watton, a resident of Melrose since 1967, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading, at the age of 83.

Elizabeth was born in Lawrence on November 13, 1928, one of two children of the late Joseph H. Watton, Sr. and Ellen (Weber) Watton. Raised in Lawrence, she graduated from Lawrence High School and went onto a career as a teacher.

Elizabeth, or "Betty" as she was well known, taught Kindergarten through Grade 8 during the course of her teaching career. She then embarked on a new challenge of educating children with mental handicaps during her twenty years in Malden. She found this to be professionally and personally fulfilling in dedicating herself to helping make better lives for the handicapped. She taught ages six to nine, and trained others in the field. She taught courses and trained student teachers at Boston College and Northeastern Graduate Schools, lectured at Harvard Medical School and Leslie University. She was part of a team that taught a new approach to independent mobility for the blind at Fernald State School in Waltham. She was also integral to the founding of Project Triangle for the Tri-City Malden area. Her efforts were acknowledged in several publications that recognized her achievements in teaching the mentally handicapped. She was also a longtime member of the Hospitality Committee for the Malden Teacher's Association.

A woman of great spiritual strength, Betty was a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick Church in Stoneham. In her leisure time, she enjoyed arts and crafts and flower arranging.

Betty was the dearest and loving friend of Margaret "Margie" Redfern of Melrose. Beloved daughter of the late Joseph H. Watton, Sr., and Ellen (Weber) Watton. Loving sister of Joseph Watton and his wife Elaine of FL. Loving aunt of Donna Ohanion of Hudson, NH, Richard Watton of Sandown, NH, and Diane Schutz of VA. Cherished cousin of Sandra Grzelak of Enfield, CT and Jane Bajek of Longmeadow. Also survived by several grandnieces and grandnephews.

Relatives and friends will honor and remember Betty's life by gathering for visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Sunday, December 18 from 2-6 PM and again on Monday morning at 9 AM before leaving in procession to St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM. Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Gifts in Betty's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105, or to Rosie's Place, 889 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118.