Elizabeth A. Army

MILLBURY – Elizabeth “Betty” A. (Kelly) Army, 80, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 4th at UMass Memorial Hospital University Campus after a long battle with multiple illnesses

Elizabeth’s husband of 37 years, Larry F. Army passed away in 2006. She leaves her two children, Teresa L. Charpentier of Auburn and Christina L. Army of Millbury; her grandsons Tyler J Charpentier, Robert J Charpentier Jr and Jaxson L Charpentier, several cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends and her beloved dog Biscuit Benjamin and her beloved predeceased dogs Blue, Maggie, and Cleopatra.

Elizabeth was born in Worcester and grew up in Quinsigamond Village, the daughter of the late John and Anna (Puzacz) Kelly. She met her husband Larry and they moved into her childhood home where they adopted two children from Central and South America. Later on, they moved to Millbury, where she continued to raise her family and became a member of St. Brigid Church. She was a devoted wife to her husband and a devoted mother to her children.

Mrs. Army was a Principal of Canterbury Street School for the city of Worcester, she worked for Worcester Public Schools for 48 years. She graduated from Ascension High School class of 1961 and attended college at Worcester State University where she received her Bachelor and Masters in Elementary Education. She also took courses at Harvard University.

Betty's focus was on education. She began her career as a teacher at the Granite Street School and in the early 1990s became an assistant principal at the Grafton Street School and Multiple Intelligent School and later principal of the Adams Street and Canterbury Street School’s. Betty loved her job, the friends she made through it, her staff and her students. She worked with the school systems on many projects, donations, and spent time helping with community outreach such as working with the Friendly House and working on making sure the children had the necessities they needed.

Betty was a proud alumnus of both her high school and college. Often, going to every reunion and staying in touch with many friends from her school days. After retiring in 2013, she received the key to the City of Worcester. In retirement, her days were spent with family and friends, going out to eat, enjoying a coffee, sitting outside in her backyard talking on her phone, listening to music, going on long car rides with her beloved dogs Blue and Biscuit, and most of all spending time with her grandsons who were the light of her life.

Betty, in recent years, helped oversee the cohort of new Principals at Worcester State University where she mentored and worked closely with them. Betty had a quick wit about her, she was full of energy and to many was known as the energizer bunny. She loved life and loved people and dedicated her life to helping others. She will be missed by many.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at UMass Memorial Hospital University Campus, the staff at Salmon VNA & Hospice, and Angela Marshburn for their continued care and compassion to our mother Betty.

Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Elizabeth’s life by gathering for a time of visitation on Tuesday, August 13th from 4 to 7 p.m. in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main Street, Millbury. At the family's request her funeral mass and burial will be private.