Elizabeth “Betty” Toomey left us suddenly on November 12th, 2021 at the age of 79, surrounded by her siblings, children, and grandchildren. Betty adored her grandchildren and they adored her. Her grandchildren were present with her, holding her hand, whispering words of love and adoration as she passed.
Daughter of Richard and Carmen (Carosella) Van Tassell, Betty grew up in Roslindale. She is survived by her three children. John and his wife Michele Toomey of Franklin, Paul Toomey of West Roxbury and Mary (Toomey) Beal of Canton, her seven grandchildren, Olivia, Hannah, Madison, Chloe, Jillian, Cameron, and Elizabeth, her sister Evelyn Fontaine of Avon, and brother Richard and his wife Mary Jane Van Tassell of Roslindale. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
Betty was part of the first graduating class at St. Clair High School in Roslindale and went on to pursue her bachelor’s degree in math and science at Emmanuel College. She was greatly involved in Boston Public schools and then went on to teach at St. Andrew’s school in Jamaica Plain. After her teaching career, she worked at John Hancock for many years and had been working up until her passing, transporting special needs children to school. The children she transported were serenaded by CD’s of her favorite music, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. Betty, more often than not, would have been singing right along.
Betty loved spending time with her grandchildren. Some of the fondest memories include the Jacuzzi bubble baths, Cam and Gram missions, tutoring if they needed help in school, being the first person to call them on their birthdays, sending them holiday cards even to their dorm rooms when they were away at college. Her grandchildren loved her equally, telling her that she was the smartest and strongest person they knew, validating her purpose, confirming she lived a fulfilled life and left a legacy of strength and compassion to those that she loved. There were no unspoken words.
Her extended family was loved as if they were her immediate family. She had an infectious laugh that lit up a room. She was a master at preparing fruit salad from fresh fruit and would bring it to all of the family functions. With her kindheartedness, she extended her home to those in need over the years.
We celebrate her life, Sunday, November 21st from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Russo’s Funeral home in Roslindale. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 22nd at 11 am at Sacred Heart Church in Roslindale. In lieu of flowers, In Memory of Elizabeth Toomey the family has asked for donations to be made to Crossroads Continuum to fund the future Adult Services Program. http://crossroadscontinuum.org/in-memory-elizabethtoomey