Our angel, Elizabeth Anne “Betty” (Sheehan) Montigny, age 95, returned to God on July 24, 2021, peacefully and surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in New Bedford, MA on August 14, 1925 to Irish immigrants John and Catherine (McCauley) Sheehan and was one of six children raised at 140 Liberty Street. Betty was devoted to her soulmate, the late William “Bud” Montigny, for 44 years and they were a perfect example of love and devotion to each other and their children. Betty felt that Bud was the funniest and nicest man she ever knew.
Betty lived her entire life in New Bedford and raised her children in the West End on Reed Street near her beloved Buttonwood Park. Her house was always a safe-haven and refuge for generations of young people drawn to her peaceful spirit and unconditional love. She graduated from Holy Family High School and was equally proud of her straight A average as she was of beating the boys at marbles and writing for the sports page. She loved the simple things in life that either revolved around family or getting out each day and walking in nature. Betty had an indomitable will and strength that was forged early in her life through her battle with polio. She was a selfless “giver” with a bottomless reservoir of patience and compassion that she used to uplift not only her family, but countless others faced with adversity in their lives. Her daily prayer list was impossibly long but with each problem that arose her reply would be, “I’ll get right on it and say a few with St. Anthony.”
Betty was small in stature and unassuming yet with a compassionate spirit and affecting warmth that was larger than life and impossible to forget. For all those fortunate to have connected more deeply with her, she remained their most loyal cheerleader, wisest counsel and rock for life.
She was a loving Mother to and is survived by her four children; Billy, Katy and husband Mark Jeffries, Mark, and John; six grandchildren; Brielin, Leah, Will, Jolie, Sophia and Marcus Cameron; six great-grandchildren; her daughters-in-law, Penny Montigny, Katy Klutznick, and Eugenia Michaelides; her brother-in-law, Chet Deluga; her caregivers, Naomi Collazo and Victoria Long; as well as Chuck Young and the many nieces and nephews who adored their “Aunt Betts.” She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband and five siblings, Mary Young, Helen Sheehan, Alice Stephens, Theresa Deluga and Paul Sheehan.
Betty was at peace her entire life because her internal compass was built on love, compassion and giving back to others and in death a lifetime of spirituality and unwavering faith sustained her.
At Betty’s request, her services will be private. Memorials in her name may be sent to Missionaries of Charity, 556 County St, New Bedford, MA 02740 or to her beloved Buttonwood Park at Friends of Buttonwood Park, P.O. Box 2011, New Bedford, MA 02741 or on line at www.buttonwoodpark.org/take-action/donate. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.