Eleanor "Ellie" George, 97

Eleanor Louise (Whitman) George

Ellie was the daughter of Wallace V Whitman and Grace Gertrude Robb; born in Allston MA on May 8 1927. She was the last of four children; sister to her three brothers Archie (Archibald), Ray (Raymond) and Bob (Robert); all of whom have predeceased her. When she was 5, her family moved to Adams; where she had many happy memories living on West Street, along with her dog, Penny Ann. We heard many a story of her loving relationships with her two older brothers but especially her brother Bob who was always the trickster; tattletale and doing a little fibbing to get her in trouble. She loved Adams; but the family had also built “Camp Whitman” in Rockland, MA where other family members; including her brothers Arch & Ray and their families resided. Each summer was spent with new friends; picking blueberries; and babysitting nieces and nephews. Back in Adams, she loved to sing and was a member of her local church choir. Her greatest accomplishment was to be the lead actor in her senior play- “Down & Up”. She graduated from Adams High with the class of 1946. She later moved with her folks to Crandall Street at the base of hospital hill. She went to work at the Gas and Electric Company on Bank Street in North Adams. Shortly thereafter, she met our father, Benny (Benjamin) Betti. They soon married; living briefly in Adams; then in a small apartment on Meadow St. in North Adams where their first two children were born, Nancy, then Susan. Several years later, they moved to Houghton Street to live with Benny’s father, Benjamin F (Grandpa BF) Betti, who had been recently widowed. Mom cared for him, and the big house, and had their third child, Linda- and she finally learned to drive! Just in time as they soon moved to their first home on Church Street with the arrival of their youngest child, John. They went on to spend the next 10 years at this home. Mom loved our neighborhood; she was involved as group leader in the Girl Scouts, the 4H, the First Congregational church groups and, of course, their choir. Mom was a great baker; she loved to sew; and loved doing craft projects. She especially enjoyed spending time with our neighbors, in particular the Rudnick’s. Not long after, they moved for a short time to Hyannis, where mom got her first job in many years working at Butner’s department store. She loved helping her customers and made many new friends. She loved the ocean; especially Craigsville Beach in Centerville. It was her happy place. Unfortunately, their stay was short; they soon moved to back to North Adams. Mom and our father divorced in 1975. Meantime, mom worked part time at the Hollywood millinery, but eventually found a job in the office of HA George fuel company where she met Harry George, the owner. She was also introduced again through their church. Harry (Al) was the love of her life; they went on to spend 26 years together at their home on Ashland Street; with much of the year at various race tracks in the northeast with his thoroughbred horses. Mom got very good at betting on horses. She couldn’t wait till she got to the track; examine the Form guide so she could review which horses were racing that day and which jockeys would be riding them so she could put in a good bet. She also loved designing and sewing many of their jockey outfits. They had a wonderful life together and enjoyed their times with the horses, at the church, trips to the Cape and Florida, and good times with family. Both were especially frugal in their ways and we all laughed about it many times.

Her husband Harry sadly passed in 2002 after a year of declining health. Mom remained in North Adams on her own for 10 years with frequent visits from her daughters. During these years; she devoted herself to helping others including Harry’s sister, Hazel Anthony in Adams; her sister-in-law Estelle; and her brother Bob. She loved her church and loved painting; a hobby she had always wished could have been a career. Into her 80’s she started experiencing symptoms of forgetfulness. After a number of tests and scans done at the Brain Center in Bennington Vermont and at a specialist in Springfield; she was diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia. Fortunately, we were able to keep her at home for another three years until a series of medical issues forced us to find a new home for her and her cat, Biscuit, at Rockridge Retirement in Northampton, Ma, close to her daughter Nancy. For the past 12 years, she made many friendships, enjoyed as much freedom as she could manage under the tender, loving care of the staff; with special thanks to Bonnie Carroll for her love and compassion to Mom.

In December of this past year; Mom took a devastating fall that lead to hospitalization; then 3 months of rehab that lead to long term services. Her last days were spent at the Gardner Rehab and Retirement in Gardner MA whose staff and hospice services provided her with exceptional care.

The family would also like to extend out their thanks to the church mice group at the First Congregational Church for their loving notes of friendship and inspiration to our mother over all the years.

In addition to her parents; her husband and brothers; she also was predeceased by her loving son, John (1987); her son-in-law, Charles (Rick) Gliesman; Alfred H George (stepson); James V Betti and David Betti (brother- in Laws); Bernice Whitman, Elsie Whitman, Estelle Whitman and Lois Betti (sister-in- laws); nephews Richard Whitman, Alan and Arthur Whitman; and nieces Carol Whitman and Marilyn Doody (Whitman).

She leaves her daughters Nancy Horan (John) of Easthampton, MA ; Susan Montes; and Linda Gliesman; both of Ashburnham, MA; grandchildren Jennifer Rivers (Chris); Michael Horan(Sarah); Matthew Horan; Patrick Hurley (Becky); Meagan Colbert (Nick); and Stephen Costa as well as great grandchildren Hayley Rivers; Nick Rivers; Derek Rivers; Brody Horan, Connor Horan; Kody Colbert; Talan Colbert, Emma Colbert and Hadley Costa; one great- great grandson Xavier Rivers- Brace; also stepsons Larry George ( Mary Ann) and Donald George; step daughter-in-law, Nancy George; as well as step grandchildren; great grandchildren on the George side and many cousins; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Eleanor “Ellie” George will take place on Friday September 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in North Adams, MA. Burial will follow in the family plot in Eastlawn Cemetery, Williamstown, MA. A calling hour will take place on Friday September 6, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home, WEST CHAPELS, 521 West Main St. North Adams, MA. Memorial donations are suggested for the First Congregational Church in North Adams or the Western Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Association through the funeral home. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.