Betty L. (Sawyer) Gibbs

Athol – Betty L. (Sawyer) Gibbs, 76, of 49 Elm Street, died Sunday, February 13, 2011 at Heywood Hospital in Gardner.      Betty was born May 8, 1934, in Enfield Center, New Hampshire, the daughter of Raymond P. and Clara (Nixon) Sawyer.  She grew up in Enfield Center, graduating from Enfield High School in 1952 then entering the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 1957 as a Medical Laboratory Technician.  She had lived in several parts of the country including Virginia, Maryland, Hawaii, Rhode Island and Connecticut, and since 1974 has resided in Athol.       Betty worked as Laboratory Manager for the Athol Memorial Hospital, Maine Medical Center in Portland and Heywood Hospital in Gardner.  She was an accomplished seamstress, doing all types of sewing, knitting, crocheting and quilting.  She was a life-long member of the Grange.  Betty most especially loved spending time with her seven grandchildren.          She leaves two sons; Jeffrey Gibbs and his wife Nancy of Haverhill, MA and Jordan Gibbs and his wife Marcia of Unionville, CT; a sister, Delores Smith of Athol; her seven grandchildren, Brendan, Katie, Dylan, Molly, Alyssa, Tyler and Cooper.  She also leaves aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.        A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 15 Park Avenue, Athol with the Rev. Fr. William Hobbs, rector officiating.  Calling hours will be held Tuesday, February 15, 2011 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol.  Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield Center, New Hampshire in the spring.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to: Athol Memorial Hospital, 2033 Main St., St. John’s Episcopal Church, 15 Park Ave. or the Athol Area Y.M.C.A., 54 Main St., all in Athol, MA  01331 $(document).ready(function(){ });