Elizabeth Clune

Elizabeth A. Clune

1951 - 2012 SHAFTSBURY, VT Elizabeth A. Clune, 61, passed away in her sleep at home Sunday morning, Nov. 4, 2012. Betsy was diagnosed with child onset diabetes at a very early age. Diabetes is a relentless, debilitating lifetime disease that shaped many years of her life.

Betsy was born in Schenectady, NY on Sept. 24, 1951, she grew up in Detroit. Because of her most loving family, she had a memorable childhood and was fortunate to have made several trips to Europe with her parents and sisters. Living in Mo-Town instilled in her a love of dance and good music.

She began her studies at Pine Manor College in Boston and graduated in 1971. From there she completed her Elementary Education Degree at Goucher College in Maryland. Because of teaching job restraints she enrolled in a Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School where she learned shorthand, dictation and speed typing.

There was seldom a day when she didn't enjoy going to work. After waitressing during her summers, she worked at WBZ Radio of Boston as an assistant to the Sports Editor; it was then she became a Celtics and Red Sox fan.

On Feb. 24, 1977, Betsie began her 35-year marriage to her husband, Jim. They lived briefly in Delmar, NY and Greenfield, MA before moving to Arlington where they bought an 18th century home and enjoyed its restoration and decoration. As a collector of antique dolls, dishes and glassware, every window in the home was adorned with glass pieces. She spent many weekends at antique shows and flea markets.

In 1983 she and Jim were thrilled to adopt their son, Matthew. Thereafter, Betsie day-cared friends' kids, viewed Little League games and supported Arlington Cub Scouts. During this time she worked at Blair and Ketchum's Country Journal. She wrote the "letters to the editor" section and researched various aspects of rural life for the staff. Upon the magazine's sale, she began work at the Arlington school system and shortly thereafter transferred to Catamount Elementary in Bennington. There she became involved in the Primary Project for disadvantaged children. She was thrilled to work with the kids. She retired from the Bennington school system last year.

Her many years in Arlington and few in Shaftsbury were devoted to her family and pets. Part of Betsy's exercise regime was miles of walks with a Cocker Spaniel, Black Lab or the many Brittianies. There were also a few wayward cats in her life.

As an ultimate multitasker, she watched a lifetime of television soap operas while needle pointing, reading, making jewelry and felting. She also enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening.

Betsie often said she had many collections but her greatest treasures were her husband, Jim, and son, Matthew, who resides in Bend, Oregon. She also is survived by her mother, Margaret Atwood of Rochester Hills, MI, sisters, Polly Williams of Rochester Hills and Penny Kruger of Sebastapol, CA, and many nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL NOTICE: There are no calling hours or public service. The family and very close friends will gather in her garden at a time when convenient.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Martha Canfield Library or Arlington Rescue Squad in care of the HANSON-WALBRIDGE SHEA FUNERAL HOME, 213 West Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201.

To send the family personal e-mail condolences, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.