Elizabeth "Betty" Cottrell

Elizabeth M. (Traquair) Cottrell, age 97, died in the Home and Hospice Care Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center of Rhode Island on Friday, April 3, 2015, surrounded by the comfort of her loving family. Born in Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island on November 30, 1917, she was the daughter of the late John and Elizabeth (Cameron) Traquair. Betty's family moved to Norwood, MA when she was quite young. She graduated from the Cambridge City Hospital School of Nursing and took further training at Boston Lying-In and Cook County Hospital in Chicago.

While living in Norwood, she met the love of her life, Clifford C. Cottrell. They were married on January 31, 1942 and spent 68 wonderful and loving years together until his death in 2010.

Betty and Cliff moved to Walpole, Massachusetts in 1945 and she took a position with the Pondville Hospital as a private care nurse. She later earned employment at the Bird Machine Company in South Walpole as an industrial nurse, from which she retired in 1977.

Betty had a love for history, especially the history of the Town of Walpole, which led her to become an active member of both the Walpole Historical Society and the Historical Commission. As the past president of the Society, she did considerable research on lesser known places and events of Walpole.

As a devoted member of the Walpole Community, Betty volunteered her time during the Cold War years working for state and local Civil Defense. She also served as the chairman of the nurses of the Walpole Chapter of the Red Cross, maintaining 50 RNs trained in all phases of disaster nursing. She used her knowledge to teach Civil Defense courses around the state.

Betty is survived by her sons, Warren, and his wife, Roberta; Andrew, and his wife Christine, and by her daughter, Sandra Harris. She has seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Betty's Life Celebration on Thursday, April 9, 2015 from 4-7PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Funeral Home Service will be held on Friday, April 10, 2015 at 10:00 AM. Interment will be private at the request of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty's memory may be made to: Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center, 1050 N. Main St., Providence, RI, 02904, or Walpole Food Pantry, 1303 Washington St., Walpole, MA 02081