Feb. 9, 1925 - Sept. 23, 2011

SOUTH BEND - Elizabeth (Betty) Frey Maffitt, residing in Shelburne, VT passed away very peacefully at 9 AM, September 23, 2011, in her home, with her family at her side. She was 86 years old. Betty was born February 9, 1925, in South Bend, IN, the eldest daughter of Martin and Louise Frey.

Betty attended Central High School in South Bend, graduating in 1942.

On April 16, 1955, in South Bend, she was united in marriage to John (Jack) Maffitt. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 56 years, and sister Mary Ann Butts of Granger, IN. Also surviving are two sons, Tom (Peg) Maffitt of Burlington, and David (Judy) Maffitt of St. Louis; grandchildren, Zoe and Kevin Maffitt of St. Louis; step-granddaughter Kelli (Chris) Ford, and their children Kate and Liam of So. Burlington; and very special friends Sister Maura Brannick and Irene Ziolkowski of South Bend, IN. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister Beverly Frey of South Bend, IN.

Betty worked for Associates Investment Company from 1942 to 1957, and for a group of anesthesiologists as the office manager, from 1967 to 1989. She was an active member of St. Stephens Catholic Church, South Bend, where she served as Lector, and on various committees including serving as Treasurer of the St. Theresa Society for 30 years. When St. Stephens closed in 2003, she became an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Bend. Betty was also a member of the Christ Child Society in South Bend.

She loved family gatherings, baking, counted cross-stitch, knitting, and reading. Betty was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She was a caring, generous, and hard-working woman who loved her home, family and church. She was optimistic, had a zest for life, and was at peace with the world. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the VNA's Hospice of the Champlain Valley and HomeShare Vermont, and their wonderful caregivers who provided such tender loving care for both Betty and Jack during these difficult months. A special thank you to Patty Wood, who was always there, with open arms when any of us needed her. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 27 at 10 AM, at St. Catherine's Catholic Church, in Shelburne, VT.

Graveside services and burial will follow at Resurrection Park, So. Burlington. Family and friends are invited to share memories of Betty on Tuesday at 12:30 PM, at Shelburne Bay Senior Living Center, 185 Pine Haven Shores Rd., Shelburne VT 05482. Betty's family and friends in Indiana will have an opportunity to participate in a memorial service in South Bend at a future date. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Betty may be made to VNA's Hospice of the Champlain Valley, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester VT 05446 or HomeShare Vermont, 412 Farrell St., Suite 300, So. Burlington, VT 05403 or to the Sister Maura Brannick Health Center, 326 South Chapin Street, South Bend, IN 46601.

Published in South Bend Tribune on September 24, 2011

05/19/2022 EJS