In Memoriam – Mary Moodie
NORTHAMPTON
Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Moodie, age 98, of Northampton and formerly East Longmeadow, died peacefully at her home on May 10, 2025.
Betty was born in Southbridge, MA on April 4, 1927, the daughter of Ethel and Edmund Gillon. She graduated from Mary E. Wells High School in Southbridge in 1944 and furthered her education at the University of New Hampshire and The Fisher School in Boston. Her work career included Administrative Assistant positions at The American Optical Company in Southbridge, Community Feed Store in East Longmeadow and Diamond Match Co. in Springfield.
Betty met Jack Moodie when she was a tour guide and he was a groundskeeper at Sturbridge Village. They married in 1952, first living in Southbridge, MA where their 2 daughters were born. Leaving Southbridge, they resided in East Longmeadow for 53 years. Betty was very involved in the First Congregational Church and volunteer work throughout that time. In 2013, Betty and Jack moved to Rockridge Retirement Community in Northampton where she continued to live after Jack’s death in 2015. Jack and Betty were married for 63 years.
Betty was a masterful knitter, making beautiful sweaters and afghans for those she loved. She looked forward to the holidays and their traditions, hosting many gatherings for family and friends. She was the “keeper of the stories,” always genuinely interested in everyone’s lives and able to recall and relate their stories to anyone, anytime. Always thinking of others, she remembered everyone’s birthday with a card or a call. Betty loved to make others laugh and succeeded in living her life with joy and optimism.
Betty’s family and many friends meant everything to her. She was predeceased by her parents, Ed and Ethel Gillon, and her siblings, Leonard Gillon, Gerry Binder and Ed Gillon, Jr (Buddy). She leaves behind her daughters, Karen Moodie-Gallagher and her husband Don Gallagher of Hadley, MA., her daughter Debra Roraback and her husband, Bob of Salem, CT., granddaughters, Lindsay (Gallagher) Betterton and her husband Robb, Courtney (Gallagher) Shea and her husband Tim, grandsons Michael Roraback and Jeffery Roraback, and 5 great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Rachel, Ronyn, Elliott and Jack. She leaves many loving nieces and nephews with whom she loved to connect each year at the Gillon Reunions. The Gallagher reunions were also a source of joy.
Funeral arrangements have been made through Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services. www.nowakfuneral.com. A memorial service to celebrate Betty’s life will be planned and announced at a later date. The family would like to extend their gratitude to all of the staff who took such great care of Betty over the past 12 years and especially in her final days at Rock Ridge, as well as the staff at Beacon Hospice Care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Northampton Survival Center, 265 Prospect St., Northampton, MA 01060.