Bettine I. Gleba

Bettine I. Gleba

Turners Falls, MA - Bettine "Betty" Ivy Gleba nee Gallie, 98, of Turners Falls, MA, died January 4th, 2024 at the Alpine Healthcare Center in Keene, NH.

Betty was born on August 3rd, 1925 in Penzance, Cornwall, England to Frances and Anne Gallie. She was predeceased by her four older siblings Leslie, Hal, Frankie, and Dorie.

Betty met the love of her life Walter Gleba during his deployment overseas during World War II. They were married on May 8th, 1944 just a month before D Day where Walter was a Medic in the second wave on Omaha beach in Normandy. They celebrated their first anniversary on May 8th, 1945 which was Victory in Europe Day. She followed Walter to America on the Queen Mary in 1946 and proudly became a naturalized citizen in 1949. Walter predeceased her on May 7th, 1997.

Betty was well known as a school cafeteria worker "Lunch Lady" starting at Hillcrest Elementary School and then Turners Falls High School. She never let a child go home hungry. She eventually retired from the Franklin County Technical School as the Cafeteria Manager.

Betty enjoyed playing cards with many friends and neighbors on Wentworth Avenue and the Park Villa Apartments in Turners Falls. She was often found shopping with her best friend and sister-in-law Regina Bonnette who predeceased her in 2020 after over 70 years of friendship.

Betty was an avid yet sometimes fair weathered Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan who would often turn off the broadcast in disgust with a few minutes left in the game only to find out the next morning that the team had made the remarkable comeback she longed to see. Her sports enthusiasm extended to her grandson's where she never missed a baseball or football game. She cooked meals for and spent time with her grandsons Tim and Dan with whom she shared a special bond.

Betty is survived by her daughters Doreen Wonderlick and husband Alex of Hinsdale, NH, Janice Momaney of Northfield, MA and partner Gary Squires, her grandsons, Timothy Momaney and fiancé Sydney Upham, Daniel Momaney both of Northfield, MA, and many nieces and nephews in the United States and England.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday 1/17 at 6pm at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 1 Kostanski Square, Turners Falls. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family at a later date.

A calling hour will be held Wednesday evening from 5pm until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Memorial Donations can be made in her memory to DAV – Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or another Veteran charity of your choice.

For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.