Betty Gene (Lovett) Garrow, 93, of Ludlow passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Ludlow to the late Harold and Gladys (Nash) Lovett, she was a 1943 graduate of Technical High School in Springfield, where she sang in the choir. During World War II, she was an Air Raid Warden in Indian Orchard, MA.
Following high school, she worked at Chapman Valve for 13 years as a Comptometer Operator and was named “Miss Chapman Valve”. She loved adventure. Her free time was dedicated to skiing with friends.
She was a member of the Springfield Ski Club, and tackled the challenge of spring skiing at Tuckerman’s Ravine, Mount Washington, N.H. Her athleticism and competitive downhill ski racing abilities led her to Woodstock, VT and the “Suicide 6” annual Fisk trophy race, where she earned a silver medal. She was married the love of her life and best friend, Lawrence Garrow, on June 16, 1956 and enjoyed 51 years of married life. While raising their 3 daughters, Betty served on the Conservation Committee in Ludlow, was active in Girl Scouts and 4-H, and was a skilled seamstress and baker.
She was life-long member of the First Church in Ludlow where she taught Sunday school for many years. Her greatest role in life was that of a caregiver. She lovingly cared for her daughter, Pamela, from the age of 14 until her death at the age of 20.
She cared for many family members over the years with love and devotion. When asked how she wanted to be remembered, she responded “I had an interesting life, loved my grandchildren, and I was a caretaker”. Her role as a caregiver extended beyond her family and to the beauty of nature.
She found joy working in her yard and was often spotted on her “Snapper” mowing her lawn or picking up leaves until the age of 92. She kept the local wildlife well fed. Ducks, turkeys, squirrels, chipmunks, and our friends at the birdfeeder had a special relationship with her, as did her indoor cat Luna.
Betty also cared deeply for honoring those who served in the wars, especially on Memorial Day where she visited multiple cemeteries to clean and place flags and flowers on the graves of those who served as well as other family members. She had her major roots in England, Ireland, and Scotland and her lineage goes back to the original New England settlers. She really never spoke too much about her rich heritage, and she could have been a DAR because her own great Grandfather Charles Nash fought in the battle of the Wilderness in the Civil War.
Most of all, Betty was a peacemaker, and taught her children and grandchildren to live “one day at a time” and to always love and forgive. She was a quiet, humble servant of the Lord her whole life. Betty was predeceased by her husband Lawrence W. Garrow in 2007 and her daughter Pamela J. Garrow in 1983.
She will be sadly missed by her caring daughters Susan Garrow-Sloan of Wilbraham and Laurie Garrow-Harris and her husband Robert of Davie, FL and four beloved grandchildren: Pamela and Kathryn Sloan and Jenna and Sean Harris and also missed by her nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was also predeceased by her brother Robert Lovett. Betty and her family want to thank all of the staff at Beacon Hospice, especially Samantha W. and Cheryl H. who lovingly cared for Betty over the past 5 months.
Betty’s Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 11 am at the First Church in Ludlow. An hour of visitation will precede the Service from 10-11 am at the Church, and a luncheon will be served immediately following the Service. Wilbraham Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Church, 859 Center St., Ludlow, MA 10156, Beacon Hospice, 815 Worcester St., Springfield, MA 01151, or to the St. Joseph’s Indian School, PO Box 326, Chamberlain, SD 57326.
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