South Woodstock, Vermont
Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Walker, 71, passed away on November 20, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones, after an unexpectedly short fight with cancer.
Betty, known affectionately by her family as Betty Ann or Becky, was born on June 14, 1954, in Brockton, Massachusetts, to Lloyd and Lydia Gabourel. The eldest of seven children, she grew up in a close-knit family that shaped her lifelong commitment to caring for others. After earning a Master's Degree in Education from Castleton State College, Betty worked as a reading specialist and early childhood educator, where she fostered a love of reading and learning in all her students. In retirement, she split her time between Vermont and Rhode Island to be with her grandsons as much as possible.
Betty built a life centered on her faith and her family. She was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life such as gardening, playing sports, reading in the sun, and exploring new places. Her calm, kind, and quiet presence left a lasting mark on everyone she met. Even in her final days, Betty focused on ensuring that everyone around her was taken care of.
Betty is survived by her daughter Ashley Stockwell and son-in-law Sam, her former husband Rick, and her grandsons Isaiah and Jude. She is also survived by her six siblings: Lloyd Jr., George, Lynne, Lee, Leslie, and Leonard, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Lloyd and Lydia Gabourel.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Woodstock, Vermont. A reception will follow for friends and family to gather and share memories.