Obituary for Betty Ainsworth (Fowler)
Betty (Fowler) Ainsworth, 94, of Agawam, MA, formerly of Enfield, beloved wife of the late James M. Ainsworth, Jr., peacefully passed away on Friday, January 31, 2020 at Baystate Medical Center. She was the only daughter of the late Walter and Annie (Reid) Fowler, born and raised in New Zealand, a heritage of which she was very proud. Betty later emigrated to America as a war bride and settled in Enfield, CT to raise her family. She enjoyed a long career at the Travelers Insurance Company, rising from the secretarial pool to Executive Assistant for some of the top executives of the company. At home, Betty was a devoted wife and mother and excelled at sewing and needlework making all of her children’s clothing throughout their childhood. She was a perfectionist in crochet handy work and knitting. She knitted beautiful baby clothes for her grandchildren and great grand children and countless baby blankets for them. She made numerous quilts for her children and grandchildren, created with left-over materials from her sewing projects over the years.
Betty was of English, Kiwi and Scottish descendants and enjoyed reading the Scottish Highlander historical magazines. The local library was one of her favourite retreats over the years and she cherished reading all of her history books.
She was a member of the War Brides organization and enjoyed several trips to conventions around the country with her family and friends.
Betty was a faithful member of Calvary Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school for over 50 years. She was appointed a Deaconess of the church, fulfilled various charitable endeavors in that role, and was a member of the Bell Choir as a bell ringer for holidays and sacred events.
In later years, she volunteered her services watching younger children for the church and cherished being a part of those children’s lives as they grew older.
One of her greatest achievements, besides raising her beloved children, was writing her memoirs over a 10 year period about her descendant’s and her life’s story.
Betty is survived by her children, James M. Ainsworth III of East Corinth, VT, Barbara LaPenta of East Hartford, and Phyllis Tarascio and her husband Russell of Revere, MA ; six grandchildren, Kristina Nalette, Jamie Ainsworth, Ian Ainsworth, Bethany Tougas and her husband Andrew, Melanie LaPenta, Mary Orbea and their spouses, Joshua Nalette, Kayla Ainsworth, Alexandra Ainsworth, Elijah Orbea, and 15 great grandchildren, her beloved feline friend Mugsy, many nieces and nephews in New Zealand and Australia, including her nieces Judy Vietri (Fowler), Jacqueline (Fowler) Bennett, Andrea (Fowler) Butler, her nephews Paul Fowler, Gary Fowler, Mark Fowler, Dennis Fowler, Reid Fowler, USA nieces Laurie (Ainsworth) Straut, Bonnie (Ainsworth) Garnett, Cynthia (Ainsworth) Cooksley, Debbie (Ainsworth) Bassell, Darlene Ainsworth; Nephews Donald Welch, David Welch, Frank Welch, Russell Welch, Robert Ainsworth, William Ainsworth, Milton Ainsworth, Sonny Ainsworth, and Russell Ainsworth. In addition to her husband, James, she was predeceased by her brothers, Donald and Jack Fowler, her nephew, Malcolm Ainsworth, and her daughter in law, Miriam Ainsworth.
A funeral service honoring Betty’s life will be celebrated at 11 am on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 1518 King St., Enfield. Burial will follow at Enfield Street Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Calvary Presbyterian Church, 1518 King St., Enfield, CT 06082. Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels has care of the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.leetestevens.com.
Betty was of English, Kiwi and Scottish descendants and enjoyed reading the Scottish Highlander historical magazines. The local library was one of her favourite retreats over the years and she cherished reading all of her history books.
She was a member of the War Brides organization and enjoyed several trips to conventions around the country with her family and friends.
Betty was a faithful member of Calvary Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school for over 50 years. She was appointed a Deaconess of the church, fulfilled various charitable endeavors in that role, and was a member of the Bell Choir as a bell ringer for holidays and sacred events.
In later years, she volunteered her services watching younger children for the church and cherished being a part of those children’s lives as they grew older.
One of her greatest achievements, besides raising her beloved children, was writing her memoirs over a 10 year period about her descendant’s and her life’s story.
Betty is survived by her children, James M. Ainsworth III of East Corinth, VT, Barbara LaPenta of East Hartford, and Phyllis Tarascio and her husband Russell of Revere, MA ; six grandchildren, Kristina Nalette, Jamie Ainsworth, Ian Ainsworth, Bethany Tougas and her husband Andrew, Melanie LaPenta, Mary Orbea and their spouses, Joshua Nalette, Kayla Ainsworth, Alexandra Ainsworth, Elijah Orbea, and 15 great grandchildren, her beloved feline friend Mugsy, many nieces and nephews in New Zealand and Australia, including her nieces Judy Vietri (Fowler), Jacqueline (Fowler) Bennett, Andrea (Fowler) Butler, her nephews Paul Fowler, Gary Fowler, Mark Fowler, Dennis Fowler, Reid Fowler, USA nieces Laurie (Ainsworth) Straut, Bonnie (Ainsworth) Garnett, Cynthia (Ainsworth) Cooksley, Debbie (Ainsworth) Bassell, Darlene Ainsworth; Nephews Donald Welch, David Welch, Frank Welch, Russell Welch, Robert Ainsworth, William Ainsworth, Milton Ainsworth, Sonny Ainsworth, and Russell Ainsworth. In addition to her husband, James, she was predeceased by her brothers, Donald and Jack Fowler, her nephew, Malcolm Ainsworth, and her daughter in law, Miriam Ainsworth.
A funeral service honoring Betty’s life will be celebrated at 11 am on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 1518 King St., Enfield. Burial will follow at Enfield Street Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Calvary Presbyterian Church, 1518 King St., Enfield, CT 06082. Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels has care of the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.leetestevens.com.