Obituary of Elizabeth "Betty" Anthony

Elizabeth Anthony, known as Betty to all, passed away peacefully on July 22nd. She was 78 years old. Betty was a lifelong resident of Peabody. Her parents, William “Red” and Stella Callahan brought her into this world in May of 1942. She graduated from Peabody High in 1960. Betty married Philip Anthony in 1962. Together, they raised their three children on James Street next to the baseball field, after a few early years in a flat on Franklin Street. She was a loving mother and grandmother, and she found her greatest joy raising her children and spending time with her grandchildren. She dearly loved her immediate and extended families too, and she enjoyed hosting and going to family events including holidays, birthday parties and cookouts. Betty worked for years at JB Thomas Hospital before finding her stride as the owner and proprietor of Tortilla Flat in Salem. At the taco stand, which was founded by her brother-in-law Bob Anthony and his wife, Judy, she made dozens of friends and brightened up customers’ days with her extroverted personality, inquisitive nature, smile, and humor. She shared her love (and lots of opinions) with everyone that she encountered, and she spent the last several years living with fellow Peabody seniors at the Tannery II Apartments. Betty was preceded in death by two brothers, Daniel Callahan and William Callahan. She is survived by her sister Virginia Dunford of Burlington, her daughter Cathy Mullins of Beverly, her son Philip “Tiger” Anthony of Chicago, her son Rick Anthony of Boston, and six grandchildren. Her wake will be held at the Conway Cahill Brodeur Funeral Home at 82 Lynn Street in Peabody on August 5th from 4 to 6 pm, and her interment ceremony will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Salem on August 6th at 2 pm. All attendees are required to wear facial coverings and maintain social distancing.