Bettina H. (Heslam) Oberist

HOLDEN - Bettina “Betty” (Heslam) Oberist, 100, formerly of Holden, died peacefully at the Pleasant Bay Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Brewster, on Wednesday, February 26, 2014. Betty was born in Fitchburg, the daughter of Charles J. and Ella M. (Sarsfield) Heslam and lived most of her life in Holden before moving to Cape Cod.

Her loving husband of 30 years, Stuart C. Oberist, a World War II veteran, passed away in 1974. Betty is survived by her daughter, Judith A. Stewart and her husband, Kevin Osborne of New Hartford, CT; two sons, Stuart C. Oberist of Wellfleet and Richard J. Oberist and his wife, Kathleen of Worcester; her grandson, Daniel Stuart Oberist of Kingston; her granddaughter, Erin Elizabeth Donovan of Bristol, RI; Erin’s husband Glenn and their two children and Betty’s great-grandchildren, Ellie Elizabeth Donovan and Liam Thomas Donovan; her sister-in-law, Priscilla Heslam; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Charles J. Heslam Jr. and Richard T. Heslam as well as her dear cousin, Barbara M. Heslam.

Betty graduated from Simmons College in Boston in 1935 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics. She worked in the food industry for many years and was also a full-time homemaker. She was a dietician for Worcester City Hospital for 14 years. Betty had a passion for learning, nature and helping others. She cherished her volunteer work reading to the blind and tutoring dyslexic students. She enjoyed working in her beautiful garden, giving away numerous bouquets from her field of daffodils, bird watching and took many adult courses after retirement.

A memorial service celebrating Betty’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. Spring burial will be in Grove Cemetery, Holden. To share a memory or offer an online condolence please sign the guest book on this page.