Beth Elaine (Cooper) Howland
April 11, 1940 - November 6, 2017
Beth was born to Edna Grace (King) in North Carolina, where they lived for six years with family until Edna remarried to Mark Fish Cooper and moved to Southampton MA. She attended Southampton schools, graduating from Easthampton High School in June 1958. She married Harold Hutchinson Howland in September of 1958, and raised three children in their Haydenville home. Her father Mark died in 1969, mother in 1982, and cousin Bobby in 2016.
Beth was a very social person, earning awards for volunteer service at CDH, was active in Church, and taught 4H knitting. When her children were older, she went to work pumping gas to be among people. She later worked as a Hospice caregiver, as a CNA, and at Florence Rest Home. When Harold died in 1989, she pursued earlier plans and attended LPN school at Smith Voc, graduating and taking on nursing jobs, along with several private clients. Her most recent job was LPN to the Williamsburg VNA.
She loved people, and was Church Greeter and sent birthday cards in her lovely handwriting to everyone at HCC, and later the Plainfield Congregational Church. She loved to help with projects involving mailings and booklets. She enjoyed helping with quilting and sewing and worked with her daughter Linda for some years as studio assistant. She loved jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, and enjoying music with friend Cindy McQueston and Linda, and was Diane’s biggest fan at school concerts.
Beth was a two-time breast cancer survivor, and was proud to be a part of the Relay for Life, several times collecting impressive amounts for her team. She succumbed to COPD after a long battle.
She leaves behind her daughters, Linda Cooper Howland O'Dea, (Jack), Katherine J. Morin, (Jimmy) and Diane H. Scott, (Richard), 5 grandchildren: Denis, Brenna, Anna, Melissa, Jodie; 6 great-grandchildren, and sister-in-law Nancy LeClerc of Southampton.
Her family would like to thank her loving caregivers who made it possible for her to stay in her home, Nancy Desrosiers, Mary Ashton, Brenda Lessard, and Maggie Sleeper. Contributions may be made to Goshen Ambulance.
Calling hours and short service will be held Nov. 14, 4-7PM at Mitchell Funeral Home, 15 Park St, Easthampton; and an open house will be held on Nov. 19 from 1-5 at Beth’s home at 19 North Farms Road in Haydenville. www.mitchellcofuneralhome.com
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