Gilberte Perreault Hanratty

DOVER – Gilberte "Betty" St. Laurent Perreault Hanratty, 94, of Bellamy Fields, Dover, departed this life on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at Wentworth Douglas Hospital following a brief illness. Betty, the youngest of 12 siblings was born in Somersworth, N.H., on April 5, 1921 to Oliva and Alice (Turcotte) St. Laurent.

Betty graduated as Valedictorian of the Somersworth High School where she was passionately involved in many activities and particularly excelled at basketball.

Betty married Leo O. Perreault on September 23, 1944 and accompanied him to Oak Ridge, Tennessee where both were involved in the Manhattan Project developing the atomic bomb. Following the war, Betty and Leo returned to Somersworth, started a family and Leo began a career at General Electric which took the family to Virginia, Maryland and eventually back to Dover, N.H. In retirement, they spent their time between Somersworth and Ormond Beach, Florida. As with their own children, Betty and Leo were actively involved in the lives and activities of their beloved grandchildren.

Following the passing of Leo in 1991, Betty travelled extensively with friends and continued enjoying summers in N.H., and winters in Ormond Beach.

In 1999, a new adventure and extended family began when Betty married Robert F. Hanratty, a widowed family friend, father and GE retiree.

Betty was predeceased by husbands Leo Perreault and Robert Hanratty, son Kenneth Perreault and granddaughter Alexandra Mills.

Surviving Betty are son, Lawrence Perreault and his wife, Joan of Indialantic, Florida, daughter Donna and her husband, Tim Mills of Wayne, Maine, son Dennis Perreault and his wife, Joanne and their daughters Lauren and Sarah of Kansas City, Mo., grandson (by Kenneth), James Dale Perreault and his wife, Melanie and great-granddaughter, Sylvie of Brockport, N.Y. Survivors also include stepsons Tim Hanratty, Dennis Hanratty, Joseph Hanratty and Pat Hanratty and their families as well as many nieces and nephews.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be held on Sunday, December 6, from 2-5 p.m., in the Roberge Funeral Home, 298 High Street, Somersworth, N.H., 03878. A funeral mass will be celebrated by Fr. Michael S. Taylor on Monday, December 7, at 11 a.m., at St. Martin Church 120 Maple Street, Somersworth, N.H., 03878.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bellamy Fields Employee Fund for education, 150 Garrison Road, Dover, N.H., 03820.