Betty Jane (Keirstead) Eddy

RUTLAND – Betty Jane (Keirstead) Eddy, loving mother, wife, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many, passed away surrounded by her family in Rutland on Sunday, December 13. She was 90.

Betty was born in Worcester and raised in New Bedford, graduating from New Bedford High School. She moved to Worcester to attend the Salter School, and it was around this time she met the love of her life, David Eddy, Jr. Together, they moved to Rutland where they raised their family.

She worked many years at Devereux School in Rutland as a Director of Residential Services before working as the Director of Volunteers for Worcester Juvenile Court. She was an active member of the Rutland Historical Society, the First Congregational Church of Rutland, the Women's Republican Club of Worcester County, and the Rutland Republican Town Committee.

Very few people in Rutland didn't know who Betty was. She touched the lives of so many with her generous and caring nature.

Over the years, she would take in many foster children through the catholic charities and provide a caring and comforting home before they would find their next home. She rarely said no to helping those in need. She cared so deeply for her children and those she helped along the way.

In her later years, she enjoyed traveling with her husband in their motorhome and camping with her family.

She will be missed dearly by her seven daughters, Laurie Eddy of Rutland, Nancy Rutter and her husband, Kenneth of Portsmouth, RI, Cynthia Sherwood and her husband, Steven of Rutland, Brenda Eddy of Rutland, Linda Bateman and her life partner, Nancy of Spencer, Gayle Jeanne Eddy-Grenier of Rutland, and Sandra Christian and her husband, Kevin of Rutland; her son, David Eddy IV and his wife, Claudia of Holden; and Robert Gross and his wife Kathy of Holden: six grandchildren, Kent, Jason, Caitlin, Jaclyn, Erikka, and Alicia; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband, David H. Eddy, Jr., three sisters, Shirley Wilkins, Joan Gentile, and Susan Whitcher, and her beloved granddaughter, Danielle Christian.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Betty’s family from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Friday, December 18, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A funeral service honoring her life will be held the following day, Saturday, December 19, at 11 am, at the First Congregational Church of Rutland, 264 Main St, Rutland. Social distancing and face masks are required for attendees at both gatherings. Her burial will be held privately at Rural Cemetery in Rutland at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name may be made to the Rutland Historical Society, 232 Main St. PO Box 69, Rutland, MA 01543 or to the First Congregational Church of Rutland, 264 Main St., Rutland, MA 01543. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, Greater Worcester Funeral Care.