Elizabeth M. Heinonen Obituary
Elizabeth M. (Rose) Heinonen, 95, passed away at the Kaplan House in Danvers on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Walter J. Heinonen.
Betty was born in Gloucester on March 4, 1927, to Arthur L. Rose and Honora M. (Costello) Rose. She graduated from St. Ann's High School in 1945. After graduation, she worked for New England Telephone Company in telecommunications, and later, after raising her five children, she worked for a number of families in Annisquam.
An avid square dancer, Betty enjoyed being a member of the Gloucester Skippers. She and Walt travelled to many clubs to dance. Betty was the captain of the Coffee Cup Bowling League for many years. She was also a past president of the Emblem Club and a member of the Gloucester Women's Club, Fraternity Club, Seafood Retirees, and Rockport Legion.
Betty enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. She did not expect, as she said, "high falutin" things. She was very sociable and loved to be surrounded by people. She maintained her school day friendships forever and constantly started new ones. A true extrovert, she would chat at length with a stranger in a grocery store. Betty loved animals and had many cats. She carried her cat cane, given to her by her granddaughter, with her everywhere she went. She enjoyed band concerts, those of her husband's and those at Stage Fort Park. Betty also loved doing word puzzles and playing cards. She loved clothes and was always meticulous about her appearance.
Besides her late husband, Betty was predeceased by her cousin and best friend, Harriet Robertson, and son-in-law, Gene Amero. Betty is survived by her five children, Eileen Erwin and husband Leo, Donna Amero, Sheila Collins, Arthur Heinonen and wife Chris, and Dan Heinonen; grandchildren, Brian Erwin and wife Lauren, Lauren Erwin and wife Sally Miller, Nathan Collins and wife Larissa, Rachelle Favazza and husband Steve, and step grandchildren, Kendra Church and husband James, Erin Hutchings and husband Garry. She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Jackson and Dillon Erwin, Kyle and Aimee Collins, Dante Favazza, Ryan and Penny Church, Hailey Kempton, and Billy Verga. The family would like to thank Care Dimensions and Kaplan House for their excellent care during Betty's final days.
Visiting hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester on Wednesday, May 11, from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. Her graveside service will be held at Locust Grove Cemetery, Gloucester, on Thursday, May 12, at 11 am. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester MA 01930 or Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.
