Elizabeth I. (Auger) Mansfield

WORCESTER – Elizabeth I. (Auger) Mansfield, 84, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at St. Vincent Hospital. Born and raised in Worcester, Betty was the daughter of William and Eva (Allaire) Auger.

For 45 years, Betty was happily and lovingly married to Richard S. Mansfield, Sr., who passed in 2000. She is survived and will be sadly missed by her four children, Richard S. Mansfield, Jr. and his wife, Bev of Holden, Diana E. Comer and her husband, Thomas of Holden, Pamela L. Monopoli and her husband, Giacomo of Las Vegas, and Sharon P. Mansfield of Worcester; her five grandchildren, Elisabeth M. (Comer) Krupinski, Katherine M. (Comer) Serpa, Robert R. Comer, Ashley E. Mansfield and her fiancé Daniel Fox, and Richard "Ricky" S. Mansfield III; three great-grandchildren, Emily and Janine Krupinski and Dante Serpa; her sister, Beatrice (Auger) Craig of Worcester, and two sisters-in-law, Virginia (Craig) Auger of Paxton and Irene (Lavergne) Mansfield of Millbury; and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by two sisters, Helen (Auger) Wyman and Ruth (Auger) Kopacz, a brother, William Auger, a brother-in-law, Robert W. Mansfield, Sr., and a grandson, Thomas “TJ” Comer.

Betty attended Worcester Public Schools and graduated from The Salter School. She worked for over 25 years as a professional medical secretary and office manager – mainly for Dr. Allen Ward at Hahnemann and UMass Hospitals in Worcester. Betty’s compassion for the palliative care and cancer patients knew no bounds. She was a listening ear, a compassionate nurturer and used her many skills to help patients with the complexities of medical insurances during difficult times. Betty’s never failing smile – quick wit and “we’ll take care of this” helped many. It was her spiritual vocation to help others.

Faith-filled, Betty was a lifelong member of Christ the King Parish where she was a Eucharistic Minister, Lector into her eighties, CCD teacher, member of the Women’s Guild, Fair coordinator and "bake sale queen". She reached out to all and shared her faith and words of wisdom. In her later years, she loved all the senior trips.

Friends were always important to Betty and she was active whether it was the mom “gabby” club or the Worcester Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Red Hatters of Holden, Worcester and Holden Senior Centers or the ELKS.

Betty enjoyed the outdoors from roller skating to ice skating and even in her forties taking up tennis and skiing – age was never an obstacle for her tenacity of spirit. She enjoyed her garden – often seen with a saw and shovel in hand to restructure the landscape.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Betty as active as she was, always found a way to make time for the family. She was dynamic and always “going”. She loved day trips and we will always remember her packing up the 1960 Volkswagen bus with kids and friends and pets as we went off the Hampton Beach or Cape Cod for a week or so. Betty loved living her life in the Tatnuck area. Most recently, Betty and her poodle, Buddy, lived at the Colony Retirement Home III, where she had made many treasured friends.

We will smile as we remember her force of spirit and determination to live each day with all the fun and joy possible.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather with Betty’s family from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM on Monday, May 12, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Tuesday, May 13, at Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant Street, Worcester. Following Mass, Betty will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband in the Heritage Mausoleum at Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Avenue (Rte. 56), Paxton. The family requests in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Saint John’s Food for Poor, 44 Temple Street, Worcester, MA 01604, www.stjohnsfoodforpoor.org . To share a memory or offer an online condolence please "Sign the Guest book" on this page.