Betty Roland

1918 - 2016

Betty Roland

1918 - 2016 Betty Roland passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 She was born in 1918, the daughter of Isadore and Ruth Peschansky. This child of immigrants lived a long and amazing life, seeing historical changes first hand, from growing up in the tenements of Brooklyn during the Great Depression to using a computer in her 90s. In 1939 she met and married Sid Roland, a labor organizer. Their first child was born before he was called into service in the Navy during World War II. During their many years together Betty and Sid lived in several cities, settling in the Boston area to raise their two daughters. Both were committed to the ideals of social justice and worked for peace organizations even after their retirement. They loved to travel and together traveled throughout the US and Europe. Betty moved to Pittsfield, MA, in 1999 soon after Sid passed away. Betty loved reading and volunteered in libraries wherever she lived, including the Berkshire Atheneum in Pittsfield. It was this love of knowledge that brought her to the Froio Senior Center, where she was a stalwart for years in the "Stage to Screen" group. Betty leaves her daughter, Anne Roland and husband, Morris Bennett of Pittsfield, and daughter, Jane Roland and husband, Garry Ward of Greensboro, NC as well as brother and sister-in-law. Julius and Doris Peschansky in California. She also leaves loving and devoted grandchildren Melissa and James Mason Jr. of Cleveland, Ohio, Joshua and Gayle Bennett of Dallas, Texas, and Stephanie Bennett and husband Foster Gilbert of Pittsfield, as well as many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and her special friends at the Froio Senior Center. FUNERAL NOTICE: The family will receive callers at 85 Edward Avenue in Pittsfield, Mass., on Sunday January 31 from 2 to 5p.m. In lieu of flowers Betty has requested that donations be made to the Froio Senior Center.