Elizabeth F. Stone

Elizabeth F. Stone passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 9, 2017 in Santa Barbara, California.  Betty, as she was known, was born in Lynn, Massachusetts to Francis and Catherine Gaffey on January 28, 1930.

After graduating from Simmons College in 1951, Betty married James B. Stone II and moved to the North Shore of Massachusetts.  Most of her adult life was spent in Newbury, Massachusetts where she raised her two children James B. Stone III (Blaine) and Ethan A. Stone.

Betty worked for over 25 years as an elementary school teacher at Salisbury Memorial School in Salisbury, Massachusetts.  She taught both 2^nd and 3^rd grades at various points in time.  While working as a teacher, Betty obtained a Master’s in Education degree from Salem State College.  Prior to her retirement, Betty worked for approximately five years as the Director of a federally funded program designed to improve students’ reading ability at Memorial School.

Betty was an avid birder and enjoyed identifying and studying birds much of her adult life.    She was also an animal lover and always had a dog by her side. 

In retirement, Betty often spent her days caring for her east coast grandchildren Brittany and Samantha Stone.  She was committed to conservation and devoted much of her time to the Town of Newbury’s Conservation Committee as well as serving as the Trustee of the Martin Burns Wildlife Management area for many years. 

Betty moved to Santa Barbara, California approximately eight years ago to escape the difficult winters in New England and to be closer to her west coast family: her son Ethan, his wife Hilary and her grandchildren Erin and Jeremy.  Betty made new friends at Rancho Franciscan apartments and later at Heritage House but never gave up her identity as a New Englander.

Betty leaves her sons, J Blaine Stone III (and wife Cheryl) of Stoneham and Ethan A. Stone (and wife Hilary) of Santa Barbara, and four grandchildren: Brittany L. and Samantha E. Stone of Massachusetts and Jeremy F. and Erin L. Stone of California.

Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the F. S. Roberts & Son Funeral Home, 14 Independent Street, Rowley, MA. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 10-11 a.m. Burial in South Byfield Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to the animal welfare organization of your choice.