Frances Elizabeth Callahan

Frances Elizabeth “Betty” Callahan, 94, of Monroe Twp., NJ, passed away quietly on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center, New Brunswick, NJ. Betty was born October 28, 1915 in Hartford, CT, the first child of Wayland & Frances Walch. She attended Weaver High School in Hartford, CT., where her father was a teacher before attending the University of Connecticut, graduating in 1937. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority. Betty married her first husband, Harold R. Freckleton in 1937, who subsequently was killed in WWII in 1942. She married her second husband of 37 years, Clifford J. Callahan. Betty began her teaching career in Home Economics as a part-time night school teacher at a trade school in Hartford, CT for 3 years, then moving on to a full time teaching career - first at a Catholic girls school in Hartford and then finally to her final full time position at Bennett Junior High in Manchester, CT, where she taught until her retirement. Betty was born in Hartford, CT, and resided in Middletown and Manchester, CT for most of her life before retiring to Sarasota, FL, then living in FT. Pierce, FL for several years until finally coming to Monroe Twp., NJ, to live with her son and daughter in law at Rossmoor. Throughout Betty's lifetime, she was a constant "summer visitor" to the family home in Milbridge, Maine. During her life in NJ, Betty was seen every day walking the family pet dog "Charlie Chan", the people knew Charlie almost better than Betty and she was referred to as "the dog lady." Betty, along with her walker and Charlie, were a fixture on the sidewalks of Rossmoor. Betty and Cliff were active members of the Manchester Square Dance Club traveling and dancing throughout New England. Betty was also an accomplished seamstress, baker, and loved all four legged animals, most especially dogs. Betty was predeceased by her husband Clifford Callahan in 1985, and then her eldest son Thomas Freckleton in 1996. Surviving are her son, Harold R. "Red" Freckleton and his wife, Lynne, of Monroe Twp., a daughter in law, Shirley Freckleton Mailloux, of NC, grandchildren, David and his wife Maura, of Ellington, CT, Laurie Genovesi and her husband Paul, of Coventry, CT, Gordon Freckleton and his wife Jennifer, of Ewing, NJ, and Debra Freckleton, of Medford, MA, and five great grandchildren, Samantha, Vincent, Tommy, Elise, and David. Betty also leaves a brother, Allan P. Walch and his wife June, of Porter, ME, and a sister, Marion "Sue" Stackpole Burke, of Machias, ME, and nieces and nephews, Barry, Pamela, Brian, Peter, David, and Julie. Also surviving are a brother in law, Richard and his wife Mil Callahan, and a sister in law, Rita Callahan Benito and all of their children. In lieu of flowers, please make any contributions to your local Humane Society, as Betty did so love animals.

As per Betty's wishes, there will be no Memorial Services. Arrangements entrusted to Michael Hegarty Funeral Home, 3377 RT. 9, Old Bridge, NJ.