It is with heavy hearts to announce the passing of our beloved mother Elizabeth "Bette" (Reddig) Flannery on December 24, 2024. Born on June 27, 1931, in Brighton Massachusetts, to John and Katherine (McMasters) Reddig. Bette grew up in Cambridge and graduated from St. John's High School in 1949. She attended airline school and worked at John Hancock Insurance Co.

In 1958, Bette married the love of her life, Ovide "Nick" Flannery. Together, they built a life filled with love, and cherished memories. They lived in Somerville and Winchester before settling in South Hadley, where Nick began his career at UMass Amherst.

A devoted mother, Bette leaves behind three children: Dianne Walsh and husband Jeff of Holyoke, Suzanne Kelly and her husband Kevin of Granby and Robert Flannery of Colorado Springs, CO. She was also the proud grandmother of six grandchildren—Jennifer Otero and husband Dan of Naples, Fl., Amanda DiBuono and husband Phil of Marblehead, Alyssa Flannery of Omaha, NE., Margaret Walsh and partner Mike Kittredge of Miami, FL., Ryan Walsh and partner Becca Plasse of Boston and Emily Flannery and her fiancé Davis Coenen of Papillion, NE and the adoring great-grandmother of Camden & Reilly DiBuono along with Brecken Coburn. Her husband predeceased her on October 30, 2022, after 63 years of marriage.

She was predeceased by her sister Mary (Reddig) Powers and brothers John and Franklin Reddig. She leaves a brother-in-law, Bill Powers and many nieces and nephews.

Our mom was famous at every wintertime to knit us our mittens and scarfs. Her love of reading, semi classical music and ballet was a favorite of hers and as we got older, we would attend the Boston Ballet at the Wang Theatre with her. One of her greatest joys was her unwavering love for animals.  Her deep connection with animals was evident in everything she did. Whether it was rescuing cats to supporting shelters for the unspoken of the great and small. It was an integral part of who she was. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched, both human and animal alike.

Bette's family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to her caregivers for their kindness, compassion, and care during her time at Mary's Meadow in Holyoke.

A calling hour will be held on Thursday January 2, 2025, from 11am-12pm at the O'Brien Family Funeral Home 33 Lamb St. in So. Hadley. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30pm in St. Patrick's Church in So. Hadley. Burial will take place at 2pm in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bette's memory to Best Friends Animal Society or The Elephant Sanctuary in TN. For more information or to make online condolences please go to obrienfamilyfh.com.