Betty Ann (Locke) Hale

HOLDEN - Betty Ann (Locke) Hale was led into Paradise by the holy angels on October 3, 2024 following a short battle against cancer. She was best known and fiercely loved as an aunt, daughter, mother, sister, sister-in-law, grandmother and devoted friend. Known as "Honey" to her six grandchildren, she leaves them with fond memories of many Cape Cod summers at the YCGA, countless family dinners with her renown coffee bread, everlasting hugs, a smile that warmed our hearts and love beyond measure.

Betty Ann was a daughter of Holden where she spent her life raising four true-blue sons and giving back to her community in her unassuming quiet way. She was born in the Summer of 1942 to B. Russell Locke and Betty [Kenney] Locke and grew up on Winter Hill Road. After graduating from Wachusett Regional High School in 1960 she continued her education at Becker Junior College. Henceforth, she met her lifelong love William Hale at the Mayo Pharmacy [where her sons loved to recall her first job as the Soda Jerk] where she met the call of her destiny. She and Bill were married on May 4, 1963 until his death on October 15, 2009. The heydays of Holden in the 1970's and 1980's, then awarded as the safest place to raise a family in America, was her circle. From cub scouts to Rice School spaghetti suppers to the treasured memories with the Jaycee organization [aka the Nantucket Alumni Association] to the thousands of hours Betty Ann spent on Holden's athletic fields supporting her four sons, she was where her heart desired. As the spouse of a local celebrity [a Holden Selectman for 25 years] she was a volunteer extraordinaire supporting Bill's civic activities and curating their love for their charming hometown.

Fondly known as "Cakes" by her husband and sons since she was often found in the kitchen baking, she leaves behind her children Mark and Lesly Hale from Leominster, Michael and Vanessa Hale from Shrewsbury, Ted and Stacy Hale from Worcester and her youngest son Bill from Holden who was her doting and steadfast caretaker in her later years. Her eldest granddaughter Ashley coined her cherished nickname "Honey" that matched her sweet personality to a tee. Her grandchildren will honor their Honey for years to come. They include Ashley, Emma, Jack, Kaylee, Liam and Sophia. Additionally, she is sadly now parted from her brother Jack Locke and his wife Maureen of Holden, her niece Julie Locke Rondinelli and her nephew Bryan Locke and their families, her sister-in-law Elizabeth Hale Davidian of East Dennis, her New Jersey family, her dearest friend of more than 50 years, Susan Leroy, of Holden and finally her precious companion, Mollie her mini Golden Retriever, who is as bereft as her family.

Betty Ann was so valued as an Aide at the Rice School [where she later lived when it was converted to a condo], a Holden Junior High Secretary, various administrative support roles at WPI and a welcome greeter at the Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union where she worked with her son Michael these past few years.

Betty Ann was never without a smile, a complaint never crossed her lips and gratitude was her mantra. In the end, we shall regale her in countless ways, which must include her potato and egg salad, a beef stew to beat the band and her spectacular buttercream frosting, but forevermore we'll relish her ability to cherish a pocketful of happiness each and every day.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Betty Ann's family from 9:00 to 11:00 am on Thursday, October 10, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden, followed by a procession to St. Mary's Church, 114 Princeton St., Jefferson where a funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 am. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wachusett Mountaineers Booster Club and St. Jude's [ https://www.stjude.org/ ].

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