Elizabeth A. ‘Betty’ (Plourde) McGrath, 70, of Tewksbury, passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Lawrence General Hospital surrounded by her loving family after a long illness. Betty was born on August 23, 1952, in Lowell, the daughter of the late Robert and Evelyn (Keough) Plourde. She was raised and educated in Tewksbury and lived a number of years in the Pinehurst section of Billerica before returning to Tewksbury.
Betty worked as an Inventory Control Specialist at UndercoverWear in Wilmington for several years as well as housekeeping in local churches and homes. She was a devoted New England Patriots fan and held season tickets since 1986. She loved camping and spending time at the ocean, and her happiest moments were always near the water a lake or the ocean.
Betty was the beloved wife of Gerard P. McGrath, whom she married in 1986 on her birthday. She is also survived by her son, Gerard ‘Jed’ McGrath and his fiancee, Tricia Smith, of Manchester, NH; her grandchildren, Kylie and C. J. Smith; her siblings, Dottie Bowen and her husband, Jack, of Billerica, Bob Plourde and his wife, Linda, of Doraville, GA, Tom Plourde and his wife, Terry, of Mont Vernon, NH, Leo Plourde and his wife, Mary, of Dover, NH; Debbie Desmond and her husband, Dan, of Nashua, NH, and Rose Harcourt and her husband, Phil, of Millville, MA, two special cousins Cathy and Jackie Dean of Tewksbury; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends.
She was predeceased by her son Sean Hardy who passed away in 2009.
Betty will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She will be remembered for her infectious smile, her love for the Patriots, and her unwavering devotion to her family.
You are invited to Her Calling Hours 4 until 7 p.m. on Monday.
On Tuesday, Her Funeral will begin at 9 a.m. at the THE TEWKSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 1 DEWEY STREET, TEWKSBURY 978-851-2061. Her Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. at Saint Dorothy’s Church, located at 11 Harnden Street, Wilmington. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 or to the Office of Philanthropy, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805.