FLORENCE-Betty Lynne Wolfson died peacefully at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst on May 1st after courageously fighting cancer for five years and without ever losing her positive outlook on life. She was the mother of Julia Gold and Dana Wolfson and mother-in-law to their husbands, Jon Gold and Seth Coldren, but her most cherished role was as “G-Ma” to her 4 grandchildren: Neko, Remy, Sibyl, and Eleanor, the latter of whom was born on April 30th. Betty had stated her desire to live until the baby was born, and in a beautiful testament to the cycle of life and death, she died mere hours after.

Betty would want us to focus on Eleanor’s “shayna punim” rather than her passing.

Betty was also a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to so many. She will be remembered as a connector and a sharer, always looking to find affinities with friend and stranger alike, especially if it was about food, art, music, films, or theater. An activist, an artist, a community builder, and a friend, Betty is remembered fondly by a vast community who cherished her nonjudgmental attitude, her profound devotion and care, and her relentless positivity.

Betty was born on May 10th, 1949, in Montabello, California, the second youngest of four siblings (Reuven, Bill, and Ilene Goldstein). Before settling in Northampton in the early 1980s, Betty lived abroad in Mexico, Hawaii, France, and Fiji. Once established in western Massachusetts, she married Steven Wolfson to whom she was married for over 30 years. Together, Betty and Steve raised Julia and Dana, spending as much time as possible on Martha’s Vineyard and traveling as a family on epic trips abroad and to imaginary fairy lands in the trees behind their house. She raised her children to love nature, gardening, and food. Betty fully embraced being a grandmother; she especially loved reading to her grandchildren and playing card games. She was a devoted activist who participated in anti-war and anti-nuclear peace walks across the United States, traveled to detention centers to care for immigrant children, and deeply involved herself in local causes in the Valley as well. She was a member of Rock Voices and a supporter of the arts, including many years as an usher at the Pines Theater and the Academy of Music. For many years, she worked in a number of roles in several local schools, creating deep relationships with many students and their families.

Betty will be remembered for her desire to feed and nourish others, her squealing, uncontrollable laughter, and her endless love for those in her life.

Family and friends will gather for a graveside funeral at Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 8th and then will be hosting a lunch reception at the Montague Retreat Center immediately afterwards (12:30 - 3 PM). Donations can be made in Betty’s honor to Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. 

(Please arrive promptly by 10:45 A.M., cemetery will have signage directing to the grave site.)