Betty Garrity

It is with great sadness that the family of Betty R. Garrity announces her passing on Wednesday March 11, 2021 at the age of 97. Betty was the beloved wife for 55 years of the late Herbert W. Garrity. Born in Hartford on July 12, 1923, she was the daughter of Edward and Ida Rome whose family in the early 1900’s immigrated to the U.S. from Lithuania. She was raised by her mother’s sister Sarah and her husband Max Tatelman in the Jewish tradition. Betty was never quite sure why her aunt raised her. She thought perhaps it had to do with her mother being blessed with so many children and her aunt Sarah with none. She had a happy childhood, accepted things the way they were, and never had to ask why.

She attended Weaver High and graduated in 1941. She married Herbert in 1942 and in the 1950’s they moved to Manchester to raise their children. She would spend the next sixty years in the home which she loved so much. 

Betty began working part time at Youth Center, a children’s store in downtown Hartford. It was here where she would develop her shopping skills which were second to none. After a few years she began working at Travelers Insurance in the property casualty area. She retired in 1985 after 25 years of service. She was an active member of the Travelers Women’s Club and cherished the trips to New York City where they would take in dinner and a Broadway show. 

Betty never drove, but it never mattered, she had the Greater Hartford Metro bus system at her disposal and she used it. For 30 years, she rode the bus back and forth to work. On weekends, she would take her kids to visit her family in Hartford and the surrounding towns as well as take in a movie along the way.

She loved the beach. She spent summers with her kids at her mom’s cottage at Old Colony Beach in Old Lyme. It was very special time when her brother and sister’s families came down on the weekends. In the 60’s she began vacationing in Atlantic City and then Miami Beach. In the 70’s and 80’s she loved going to the country clubs in the Catskills, flying to Acapulco, the Caribbean, and Las Vegas.

Later on in life, she enjoyed going to the Mohegan Sun Casino. A very special friendship developed between her and a “Blazing Seven” slot machine. In fact, on her 90th birthday, she was presented with a “Blazing Seven” birthday cake. Betty said this was the best birthday she ever had. For over 40 years her special home away from home was Rein’s Deli in Vernon.  Special thanks goes out to the staff and management who made her feel like she was family.

From humble beginnings, it is hard to believe that Betty could have envisioned this remarkable life she would create for herself and for those around her. If you were fortunate enough to know her, you would say that she was loving, caring, sweet, generous, thoughtful, and so much more. She had a special relationship with all of her grandchildren who will always remember her as Geema.

Betty is survived by her son Kenneth and his wife Cynthia of Rocky Hill; her grandchildren Heather Kelley and husband Bill of Rocky Hill, Kelly Martin of Rocky Hill, Brian Garrity and his husband Scott Radloff of West Hollywood, CA., Wendy Bissonnette of Cocoa, Fl., David Solomon and his wife Becky of Ocoee, FL., and Robert Solomon of Fayetteville, NC.;  and many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Betty is predeceased by her daughter Eileen Solomon; her sisters Selma Goldberg and Sadie Steinberg; and her brothers Milton Rome and Sidney Rome.

A graveside service will be held at Rose Hill Memorial Park 580 Elm St. Rocky Hill on Wednesday March 17 at 1:00.  Face coverings are required. Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105*

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