Bette (Neilson) Wilsack, 75, died peacefully Thursday March 19, 2015 surrounded by family at Westford House Nursing Home in Westford Massachusetts. Bette was born in Lynn, and was raised in Peabody, graduating from Peabody High School in 1957 and locally has lived in Winchester, Malden, and Chelmsford. She was a daughter of the late Freeburn and the late Mildred Neilson.
Bette was a devoted mother and cherished her grandchildren; she always had a special gift for every visit. She loved the spring and couldn’t wait to plant the pansies each year as soon as the ground thawed and was always first to display decorations for every holiday. Bette loved a variety of crafts including knitting dozens of afghan blankets for family & friends, and baking her unique coffee can pumpkin and banana breads. She was kind and generous, and was adored by the staff and residents of Westford House. Bette will be remembered fondly by her friends and will be greatly missed by her loving family.
Bette is survived by her sons Andrew Wilsack and his wife Kathleen of Lexington, Thomas Wilsack and his wife Audrey of Andover, and Michael Wilsack and his wife Bethan of Westford; granddaughters Sarah and Lauren of Westford, and Rachel and Nicole of Andover. She is also survived by her sister Bernice MacDonald of Lynnfield, her brother Robert of Danvers; several nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, and her longtime companion Barry Snyder of Chelmsford. She was preceded in death by her son James “Jimmy” Wilsack.
A visitation will be held at Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Thursday March 26, 2015 from 5-8 PM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bette’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.