Betsy Hoey, aged 75, died peacefully with her husband and sons by her side, on June 16 from complications due to acute myeloid leukemia. She was the beloved wife for 52 years of John P. "Jack" Hoey of Marshfield, Mass.; loving mother of Andy Hoey of Marshfied and Tim Hoey of Brooklyn, N.Y; caring mother-in-law to Angela Paz Hoey and Patricia Penn Hoey; and "Awesome Grandma" to Miranda and Elena Hoey of Marshfield and Alexander "Xander" Hoey of Brooklyn. She was the sister of Michael Kelly of Danville, Ind., Susan Gerrity of Grand Rapids, Mich., Molly Ellingsworth of Terre Haute Ind., Jane Fuller of Gloucester, Mass., and Mary Repic of South Bend, Ind.  She was the daughter of the late Richard W. Kelly and Helen (Rassel) Kelly of Terre Haute, Ind. Betsy graduated from Schulte High School in Terre Haute and Trinity College for Women in Washington, D.C. (now Trinity Washington University).

She and her husband, Jack, have lived in Marshfield for 48 years. She took great pride in her two sons and deeply loved her three grandchildren. She was loving, attentive, thoughtful, and generous, constantly putting her family first. She was a master organizer and "Family C.E.O.," running a seamless household and starting and maintaining cherished family traditions. She loved to plan and take her family on trips and vacations–both nationally and internationally.

While Betsy's primary focus was always her family, she worked full or part-time at a number of jobs. During college she was an usher at the National Theater. While in D.C. she was a staff member for then-U.S. Senator Vance Hartke (D-Ind.), where she handled inquiries from constituents, and later an adjudicator of veteran claims in the U.S. General Accounting Office. She also worked for the Nathan Hale Insurance Company in NYC and the Hersey Meter Company in Dedham.

After moving to Marshfield in 1975, Betsy was an office manager for the Chamber of Commerce, worked at Anton's Dry Cleaners, and became a special-needs tutor at the Governor Winslow Elementary School. This final outside-the-home job reflected her early interest in children facing challenges. While still a teenager in Terre Haute, Betsy volunteered to teach swimming at a nearby facility started by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics.

In 1997 Betsy was a founding co-chair of Marshfield Grad Nite Live, an annual event that offers graduating high school seniors a safe and fun celebration on what could otherwise be a dangerous night. This tradition has kept MHS graduates safe for 26 years. Betsy also regularly volunteered in the Marshfield Public Schools, contributed to various PTOs, and taught CCD at Saint Christine's Parish.

From her earliest years Betsy was an avid sports fan. She was for many years a member of the Ladies League at the Green Harbor Golf Course. She was a proficient swimmer and member of the Percy Walker Pool in Duxbury and the Hanover YMCA.  Betsy loved traveling around the country and world, including Greece, Italy, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Alaska, Hawaii, New Zealand, and her favorite: Machu Picchu.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Christine Parish Church, 1295 Main Street in Marshfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in Betsy's memory may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, online at Dana Farber or Marshfield Community Christmas, by mail to P.O. Box 713, Marshfield MA 02050.

For online guest book, driving directions and other helpful information please visit the website macdonaldfuneralhome.com