Elizabeth "Betty" Bolton, 89, of New Bedford died suddenly on September 2, 2016. She was the wife of the late Dr. James Bolton, Jr.
Born in Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, the daughter of the late Thomas A. and Ellen C. (Magruder) O'Brien, she lived in New Bedford for most of her life.
She was a communicant of St. Lawrence Church and member of New Bedford Women’s Club.
Mrs. Bolton worked with special needs children as a paraprofessional in the New Bedford Public Schools until her retirement. During the war she worked with the Federal Communications Commission in Washington D.C.
Betty enjoyed playing golf, bridge and spending time with her family. She was a voracious reader and engaged in a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.
Survivors include four children, James Bolton and his wife Suzanne, Mary K. Laughlin and her husband Tim, Barry Bolton and his wife Janet, and Elizabeth "Betsy" Kearns and her husband James. She is also survived by her seven beloved grandchildren J.R. Bolton and his wife Rebekka, Kathryn Creamer and her husband Matthew, Leigh Bolton, Timothy Laughlin and his wife Rebecca, Sarah Kearns, James Kearns, and Maxwell Kearns. Also, her first great grandchild, James Bolton. She was predeceased by her siblings, Joe, Bill, Jean, and Jerry and she is survived by her brother Michael O'Brien and his wife Margaret. She also had many nieces and nephews.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday September 10, 2016 at 9 AM at St. Lawrence Church. Private burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven. Visiting hours are omitted. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, St. Bonaventure Indian Mission & School or the Wounded Warrior Project. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.