She was born in Springfield on September 19, 1931, the daughter of Thomas J. and L. Fern (Thompson) Gray. Betty married Eugene Walter Walsh on November 26, 1955, at Sacred Heart Church.
Betty graduated from Sacred Heart Academy with the class of 1949. She worked and retired from New Hampshire Insurance Company after 15 years of service. Betty also volunteered at nursing homes washing and mending clothes for residents. She was a member of Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club and Sacred Heart Class of 49 Luncheons. In her spare time, Betty enjoyed reading a good book, tending to her garden, crocheting, and traveling. She had a special place in her heart for dogs, especially her Irish setter, Maggie, and boxer, Tilly. Above all, Betty treasured her family- raising her six children and dedicating her time to taking care of her mother during the last 25 years of her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; parents; daughter, Karen VonBehren; and brother, Thomas Gray, Jr.
Betty is survived by her sons, Gene and Tom (Tammy) Walsh; daughters, Kathy (Fred) Knope, Maureen Gochanour, and Betty (Jim) Thomas; 9 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and sister, Mary Katherine Kane of St. Charles, MO.
Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Sacred Heart Church, 722 S. 12th St., Springfield.
Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Please visit www.butlerspringfield.com to offer your condolences.
