Elizabeth (Long) Robitaille

West Brookfield – Elizabeth “Betty” Jane (Long) Robitaille, 87, of West Brookfield embarked on her final journey, Tuesday, December 17, 2019 with her loving family close by and forever with her.

Her husband Alfred “Fred” Robitaille married 40 years, predeceased her earlier this year in January. Betty leaves 5 heartbroken Crockett children, two boys and three girls, and a predeceased infant son. She also leaves all her children’s life partners, and spouses, whom she adored. Her two stepsons, and their companions in life and predeceased stepdaughter and two stepsons. Gram to 6 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren and Great Gram to 4 great-grandchildren, whom she cherished everyday of her life, and for eternity. She also leaves her brother, his wife and their family. She was also well-known as the “High Muckymuck”, and just “Ma” to many kids in town, when her children were growing up. Some may still remember the antics of the clubhouse gang.

A proud 1954 graduate of The School of Nursing of The Children’s Hospital in Boston. She had a long 30-year career at Mary Lane Hospital. Her nursing skills were broad as she functioned in all patient care areas throughout her career and retiring from Surgical Services and Post-Anesthesia practices in 1994. Her compassion for patients of all ages, including their families, was a quality for which she was best known. She was well respected by physicians and coworkers and made lifelong friendships whose stories brought laughter and smiles whenever told. However, her children remembered it differently, “nursing with no mercy, put a band-aid on it and get back outside!” as recently recalled by a childhood family friend.

Betty donated a wonderful legacy of many acres to Quaboag Wildlife Management Area on Long Hill Road in West Brookfield, known by the family as ‘The Farm’. This land is considered by Audubon to be a top IBA (Important Bird Area) and contains Worcester County’s most extensive cattail marshes.

Betty loved her family and friends, her dog Lily, and enjoyed gardening. An accomplished knitter all her life - making Christmas stockings for family members, and with the Busy Bees, knitting blankets for Camp Putnam, and many other charitable organizations wherever they were needed. In retirement she loved to read on the boat while Fred fished and spent many winters in Florida, during the cold winter months of New England. 

Betty’s request was to have a private family service at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s name may be sent to Overlook Hospice, 88 Masonic Home Road, Charlton MA 01507

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