Betty Jean Gramazio   01/06/1926 – 07/09/2012

bettyDescended from the Mayflower Pilgrims, Betty Gramazio was born, raised, and educated in Quincy, Massachusetts.  She graduated from Quincy High School in 1943 and attended Boston’s Higgins Business School.  After graduating, she worked as bookkeeper for Old Colony Gas in Weymouth.  Betty was married to Renato “Ray” Gramazio for 38 years and lived on Cape Cod for over 55 years.

During her marriage, Betty lived and worked in Long Beach, California for two years before she and Ray drove to Alaska via the unfinished Alaska Highway.  It took three weeks to reach Anchorage.  In Alaska, Betty was employed at Elmendorf Air Force Base as a bookkeeper.  She and Ray returned to Massachusetts in 1953 and settled in Mashpee.  They lived on a 40-acre parcel, which provided the space to breed and race sled dogs.  In 1956, the family moved to South Yarmouth.  Betty worked part-time while raising three children and often juggled a few jobs.  She moved to Hyannis in 1986, and retired from the Barnstable County’s Assessors office in 1994.  Betty fully enjoyed retirement living at Whitehall Estates beginning in 2005. In 2008, Betty moved to Island Commons on Chebeague Island in Maine.  Betty’s favorite activities were traveling, collecting cup plates, and most of all enjoying the many friendships she formed around the country.  Many of Betty’s friendships have flourished for over a half - century.  No matter where she went, Betty always seemed to know someone, as she took a genuine interest in the people she met.  Her years on Chebeague Island were enriched by the many wonderful people she met there.

Survivors include Donna Peters of Washington; Ronald Gramazio of Cape Cod, Karen Bowen and her husband, Doug, of Maine; and grandsons Zachary Bowen and Connor Gramazio.

There are no calling hours.  Private burial will be at Betty’s family plot in Mount Wollaston Cemetery in Quincy, Massachusetts.  Memorial donations may be made to Island Commons, 132 Littlefield Rd., Chebeague Island, ME  04017.  A celebration of her life will be held at a future date on Chebeague Island.