Obituary of Elza M. Bettencourt

Elza M. Bettencourt, 81, of Peabody, passed away Friday evening at her residence surrounded by her loving family, following a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of the late Mario Q. Bettencourt. Elza was born on February 3, 1939, in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal, daughter of the late Manuel Cirino Bettencourt and Deolinda (Gil) Bettencourt. The family immigrated to the United States on December 4, 1948. She attended Peabody Public Schools, graduating from Peabody High School (the old Seeglitz school), class of 1959. She held administrative positions throughout her working life, retiring as a Senior Account Clerk from the Peabody Municipal Light Plant on February 14, 2003. Elza was a faithful servant of God, and a very active member of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Peabody. She was a supporter of the Portuguese Americans for Higher Education (PAFHE), a member of the Azorean Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Ghost and proud citizen of the United States of America and of the Portuguese community of Peabody. She enjoyed vacationing in South Carolina and Florida and traveling, particularly to Europe. One of the most important aspects of her life was the time spent with her family and friends, particularly her children and grandchildren. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her children, Mario Q. Bettencourt, Jr. and his wife Carol of Peabody, Maryann Murtagh and her husband Patrick of Peabody, Linda Bettencourt and her fiancé Roger Coimbra of Peabody; her grandchildren, Nicholas C. Bettencourt, Alyssa N. Bettencourt; her brother, Armindo E. Bettencourt of Peabody, and extended family members and friends. She was predeceased by her half-brother, David Medina of São Miguel, Azores, Portugal. Funeral services for Elza will be held privately. There will be a memorial mass held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675 and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.