Obituary of Elizabeth-Rose Ahern

ELIZABETH "BETTI" ROSE AHERN - FAYSTON/ WILLISTON - Elizabeth "Betti" Rose Ahern, 61, of Fayston and Williston, passed away on Feb. 9, 2014, with her daughters and family by her side. Betti was born on Sept. 16, 1952, in Dorchester, Mass., to John and Elsie Ahern. She is survived by her daughters, Michelle Snow, and Susie Snow; son-in-law, Jim Halavonich; two grandchildren, Kadence and Cecelia Halavonich; and siblings, Pat, Ray, Jack, and Gerry. Betti is also survived by a very large extended family, each of whom she cherished deeply. She now joins her mother and father; sister-in-law, Sharlene; and mother-in-law, Shirley, in all of our hearts. Betti was one of five children born and raised in the South Shore of Boston. She moved to Ludlow, Vt., at the age of 15, where she lived for 25-plus years and raised her daughters. She always considered Ludlow her hometown, but formed deep connections to other communities where she lived including Rutland, Pawley's Island, S.C., and Williston. Betti will be best remembered for her empathy, tolerance and willingness to help those in need. At the time of the onset of her lung disease, she was working at Downs Rachlin Martin in Burlington as a legal assistant. She genuinely considered her coworkers family. They helped her immensely through her valiant battle to recover from a lung transplant in July 2013. While at DRM, Betti helped to coordinate the preparation of meals for those in need through the United Way. She was also involved with the Rutland chapter of the Kiwanis Club. Over the past 15 months, she was amazed at all the love and support offered to her from friends and family. Until the very end, she was a caring and loving mother and Nana. Her spirit lives on in all who knew and appreciated her kindness. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Inn at Round Barn Farm in Waitsfield. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Betti's memory to the Mad River Community Fund (http://mrvcommunityfund.org/). Also please consider a random act of kindness, making someone laugh or telling someone how much they mean to you. Let her memory live on through you. GO RED SOX!