Elizabeth M. “Betty” McAvinnue
Loving sister, aunt, grand-aunt and dear friend
Elizabeth M. “Betty” McAvinnue, 89, of Lowell, died Tuesday, June 26th at D’Youville Senior Care. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, December 14, 1928, she was a daughter of the late Joseph A. and the late Edith M. (Smith) McAvinnue. She and her three sisters were raised in the three generation McAvinnue household on Mammoth Road in Pawtucketville where Betty continued to live until she made her home at Chelmsford Crossings. She attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School with the Class of 1947. Eager to pursue a career in education, she then went on to graduate from Lowell State Teacher’s College (now known as UMass Lowell) in 1951 and received her Master’s Degree in Education from Northeastern University in 1968. Acknowledged as a born teacher, she taught for 41 years in the Arlington, Massachusetts school system and, after her retirement, volunteered in the school where she had taught so effectively for so long. Betty was a parishioner for nearly a lifetime of St. Rita’s Parish in Lowell and was past member of the League of Catholic Women and a longtime volunteer at the Lowell Folk Festival. She enjoyed eating out (particularly at Good Thymes Restaurant in Lowell), a spirited game of cribbage, singing, and swimming (her trademark white bathing cap barely visible above the waves). For many years, she enjoyed her summers in Yarmouth where she generously shared her Cape Cod home with visitors. A faithful fan of the Boston Red Sox, she also looked forward to watching the Patriots play. Betty is survived by two sisters Joan McEvoy of Newmarket, NH and Edith O’Brien and her husband Tom of Fort Myers, FL; a niece Ellen Berlin and her husband Bob of Newmarket, NH; five nephews Kevin McEvoy of Thetford, VT, Brian McEvoy and his wife Melissa of Laconia, NH, Stephen McEvoy and his wife Ulli of Austria, John McEvoy and his wife Sonya of Atlanta, GA and John O’Brien and his wife Kim of Tuftonboro, NH; several grandnieces and grandnephews; and her dear friend Pauline Golec of Dracut, MA. She was predeceased by her sister Marie McAvinnue and brother-in-law Walter McEvoy. Family and friends may call at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. at Fletcher from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. on Saturday morning followed by her Funeral Mass at ST. RITA’S PARISH in Lowell at 11:30. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to the Lowell Festival Foundation, 67 Kirk St, Lowell, MA 01852 or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.
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