Elizabeth A. (Colavecchio) Walker, 80, longtime Clinton educator, passed away on August 19, 2020 after a brief illness at the Hospital of St. Raphael, New Haven, CT. with family by her side. Betty was born May 15, 1940 in Providence, RI to the late Frank Colavecchio and Albertha E. (Levesque) Colavecchio previously residing in West Warwick, RI before settling in Clinton, CT in 1962.
She attended St. Xavier High School, Providence, RI and graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1962 with a BA in Education. She later acquired an MA in Education from Southern Connecticut State
University. She also attended Quinnipiac University where she pursued a Certificate in Occupational
Therapy.
Mrs. Walker was employed by Clinton Public Schools from 1978-1994 after working for the Haddam-
Killingworth school district for two years.
She was a member of the First Church of Christ Congregational, Clinton, CT and was a longtime resident
of Clinton. She married Robert A. Walker in 1962 and they made their home in Clinton, CT. Betty was a
devoted wife and mother who cherished time spent with family. In addition to raising two children, she
maintained her career as an educator. A lighthearted woman, she had a loving and gentle nature with a
great sense of humor. A dedicated teacher, Betty spent many years working with learning disabled
children, continuing to do so even after retiring in 1994. She enjoyed reading and writing as well as
doing crossword puzzles. She loved to play Scrabble with family members and to gather with her lady
friends to play Canasta on Tuesdays.
Betty will be most remembered for her strong will and persevering nature. She is survived and will be
dearly missed by a son: Michael R. Walker and his husband, Steven Faiella of Danbury, CT. A daughter:
Karen E. (Walker) Austin and her husband, William E. Austin III of Northford, CT. She is also survived by
her sister: Francine H. Colavecchio of Johnston, RI as well as her beloved grandchildren: Eric M Austin of
West Haven, CT and Kristen E Austin of Northford, CT.
In addition to her husband, Robert A. Walker, she was predeceased by her good friend, the late Judith Jacobson.
Betty’s family would like to express their deep gratitude to the Hospice staff for their wonderful care
and support during her illness as well as her many friends and neighbors for their many acts of kindness
over the years.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 28th at 11am in the First Church of Christ Congregational, Clinton, CT. A calling hour will be held for one hour prior to the service in church. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 29th at 10:30am in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Warwick, RI.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her memory may be made to the First Church of Christ
Congregational, Clinton, CT.
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