Betty L. Manners

1933 - 2021

Betty L. Manners

Shelburne, MA — Betty Louise (Johnson) Manners, 88, of Shelburne Massachusetts died peacefully on July 17, 2021, at her son and daughter-in-law's home where she had lived for the past seven years. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Guy Manners, Jr.

Betty was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts in 1933 - the depth of the Great Depression. The youngest of five siblings: Charles (Chas), Shirley, Beatrice, and Marylin. She was named by her brother after Betty Boop; though her parents, Margaret (Schatz) and Charles Johnson only agreed to Betty. She attended Greenfield Public schools where she was the varsity field hockey goalie and graduated in 1951. During her high school years, she was a camp counselor and lifeguard at Camp Stonehenge, the local Girl Scout Camp. Excelling in art, she took art classes at Stoneleigh Burnham School and enjoyed sketching and drawing all her life.

Betty married Guy Manners, Jr., a dairy farmer, on October 4, 1952. She quickly learned how to deal with cows and farm chores. She spent the rest of her life on part of the original farm. Betty and Guy raised 4 children, Penny Manners of Bedford New Hampshire, Linda Tyler of Greenfield, Massachusetts, Wendy Manners Seamen of Stuart, Florida, and Robert Manners of Shelburne, Massachusetts. Betty was always an advocate for her children and was a stay-at-home mom who provided a wonderful childhood for her children.

Betty was very active in the community. She always volunteered when her kids were involved; she was active in Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. She served as a trustee of the Shelburne Free Public Library and was active in the Shelburne Grange, becoming a 7th degree member of the National Grange. She also became an EMT and volunteered for the Shelburne Fire Department for over 25 years.

After raising her children, Betty worked for the Franklin County Tech School as an aid and EMT in the nurse's office. She loved the students and became a mom to any student who needed her. She retired after 20 years, joking that it took her 20 years to graduate from high school.

Betty loved to travel. Her first trip was an adventure of a lifetime to India and Nepal where she fulfilled her lifelong dream of hiking in the Himalayas. After that she and Guy traveled the world from Alaska, Hawaii, the western US, and Canada, and to Europe. She was always willing to go anywhere at the drop of a hat. If you were going to the mailbox, she would want to go. Her adventurous side did not stop with traveling. She learned to rock climb and enjoyed hiking in the White Mountains, summitting Mount Washington and other mountains in the presidential range. Betty's favorite pastime was mowing her lawn on her own lawn tractor. Neighbors would know it was springtime with the first sighting of Betty on her tractor wearing her signature hat, cleaning and mowing the yard.

Betty is survived by her grandchildren Nathan Tyler of Shelburne, Massachusetts, Rachel Tyler of Bernardston, Massachusetts, Ashley (Manners) Boyd of Rowe, Massachusetts, Jacob Manners of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and Keith Irish of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was known by all their friends as Gram and enjoyed knowing that she was the designated grandmother. She has 5 great grandchildren (another is due in November) and is also survived by beloved cousins, nephews, and nieces scattered across the country.

Known for her laugh, friends and family always knew when Betty was in the area by hearing her exuberant laugh. She loved animals and spoiled many family dogs - often cutting the crust off buttered toast to share her breakfast with them. Betty always said anything with a heart loves to be loved. That sums her up. She loved to love and was loved by many. Her presence on earth has impacted many and the ripple effect will carry on for generations to come.

A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, August 21 from 2-4 PM at 440 South Shelburne Road, Shelburne, Massachusetts feel free to wear something blue in honor of Betty's favorite color. Betty's family would like to thank her PCA, Melissa Rosario, Dr. D Thomas and his nurse case manager Meghan Wheeler, Dr Fred Landies, all the visiting nurses and hospice workers, and her entire medical team for all they did. Their care and treatment allowed Betty to live her life to the fullest. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Shelburne Firefighters Association, 18 Little Mohawk Rd, Shelburne MA 01370 or to the Relay For Life of Franklin County MA, The Johnson Clan. https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=my_team&fr_id=98785