BETLEY, Beatrice (Tavares), was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on December 26, 1954. She passed away in Corona, California on October 27, 2018, due to complications from diabetes and congestive heart failure. During her life, Beatrice lived a life full of joy, adventure, helping others, being a leader and a mentor, and just being a truly nice person.
She was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and Godmother. Everyone who came into contact with Beatrice was impacted by her infectious spirit. Beatrice moved to East Providence, Rhode Island, from New Jersey, with her parents Abilio and Benvinda Tavares and her younger brothers and sister, Abilio, Jr., Joseph and Emily.
Beatrice graduated from East Providence High School is 1972. She then attended Rhode Island Junior College, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree in 1974, but not without first being elected to student government and leading the fight for improved student academic and recreational facilities. She entered Rhode Island College in 1974 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in teaching — her life’s passion.
Beatrice was an elementary school teacher in the West Warwick, Rhode Island school system, before she married William Betley on July 7, 1979. She thereafter resigned her position in West Warwick and moved with her husband to Southern California so that he could pursue his passion — the study of law. This was the first of her many grand adventures.
After working as an office manager for one year, Beatrice was hired as an elementary school teacher in La Habra, California. For the next 36 years, she was an elementary school teacher in that District, impacting the lives of thousands of people — children and adults alike. She expected each student to “believe, achieve, succeed,” and she patiently spent time with each student in order for that goal to be realized.
During those 36 years, she was elected as President of the Teachers’ Union, she served on numerous committees, organized many school district events, directed countless plays and musicals, and mentored many student teachers and teachers at the beginning of their careers. In 1995, Beatrice was chosen as Teacher of the Year! She also earned her Master’s Degree in education.
In 1982, her first daughter, Courtney, was born and Beatrice found a new calling — being a working mom. Her youngest daughter, Allyson, was born in 1986, and for the next several years, Beatrice, Courtney and Allison made the daily 80 mile commute from their home in Corona, California to school in La Habra, where Beatrice taught and Courtney and Allyson attended elementary school. Despite this long daily commute, she always found joy in being able to spend time with her daughters and in having them close to her in La Habra.
Beatrice was also a regular team mom for the many baseball, softball, basketball and hockey teams her daughters played on. She would occasionally fill in as coach for her husband when he couldn’t be present. Beatrice also enjoyed traveling with her family, attending family events, entertaining guests, shopping, and helping others.
She routinely volunteered to help students improve their reading and math skills. She was always willing to mentor young teachers and to help parents in the day-to-day rigors of raising a family. After 36 years of teaching, Beatrice retired in June, 2016.
Despite dealing with physical limitations caused by a stroke earlier that year, she was able to attend the wedding of her niece, Jillian Watto, and to attend the christening of her grandniece, Elizabeth Picard. Beatrice truly loved her family and so enjoyed being in their company. She will be truly missed.
Beatrice is survived by her husband William Betley; her daughters Courtney and Allyson Betley; her brother Joseph Tavares; her nephews Mark Winslow, Joseph Tavares and Alex Tavares; her nieces Patricia Kelling, Jennifer Winslow, Christine Winslow, Kathleen Winslow and Jillian Watto; her grand-nephews Nicholas Kelling, Zachary Kelling, Nathaniel Kelling, Benjamin Kelling, Ian Winslow, Jackson Picard and William Picard; and her grand-nieces Zoriana Tavares and Elizabeth Picard. Her funeral will be held Monday, November 5, 2018 at 9:00 am from the HENAULT-GALLOGLY Funeral Home, 5 Eddy Street, West Warwick followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Our Lady of Czenstochowa Church, 445 Washington Street, Coventry, Interment will be in at St. Mary’s Cemetery, West Warwick. A reception will follow the burial at the Cowesett Inn, 226 Cowesett Avenue, West Warwick, Rhode Island 02893.
VISITING HOURS Sunday, November 4, 2018 from 4:00-7:00 pm. Information and condolences please visit: www. henault-gallogly.com.
There will also be a memorial service for Beatrice in California on November 18, 2018.
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