Bettimarie Hamilton Kray Small, a longtime Westford resident, passed away peacefully on January 11th 2017 at Coleman House in Northborough, Massachusetts. Bettimarie, the youngest of three sisters, was born on April 5th 1931. She was the daughter of Bertha and Frank Kray of Philadelphia, PA. At an early age Betty enjoyed playing the piano and singing in the church choir, and soon began private voice lessons. She was a gifted contralto, who in her younger years sang in regional theater, opera companies, and church choirs wherever she lived. While in Ohio, she played the Lady Thiand in The King and I in 1964, to a standing ovation with her performance of Something Wonderful. Bettimarie married Charles Ernest Small on June 19th, 1954. They were married for nearly 61 years until his death in 2015 and had three sons. Shortly after moving to Westford, Betty became a Welcome Wagon hostess, delivering gift baskets from local businesses to new homeowners. She moved on, teaching at nursery school for many years as a dedicated staff member who loved children. When her sons were older, she became an administrative assistant at Wang Laboratories in Lowell. With the skills she perfected at Wang, Bettimarie and Charlie Small began their home-based professional engineering firm in the early eighties.They specialized in forensic investigations. While Charlie was the face of the firm, Bettimarie was the backbone, handling administration, coordinating events, and classes. They both retired in 2005. Betty and Charlie loved to travel, with forays to Alaska, the Virgin Islands, Cancun, and several other states throughout the country. She particularly loved Colonial Williamsburg, and returned there numerous times. They also loved to entertain and were well known for their charming house parties. Betty adored gardens everywhere she went. She was a member of the Open Gate Garden Club of Chelmsford along with her best friend Eleanor Eschner for many years. Bettimarie served as the club president from 1990-1992 and again from 1997-1998. Bettimarie was devoted to her church, St. Marks Episcopal Church in Westford, MA, in particular Chocolate Sunday! She always supported it in any way she could. Bettimarie is survived by her sons Frank E. Small and his wife Marie White Small of Bennington, VT, John C. Small and his wife Susan M. Small of Westford, MA, and Kray A. Small and his wife Laura Small of Westborough, MA. She is also survived by her grandson Jeffrey R. Small, and three step-granddaughters, Erin E. Wentworth, Dara K. Wentworth, and Elizabeth and her husband Jeromy Wilderbeek, and close friends Vivian Crocker and Fran Fletcher. A service will be held on Saturday, January 21st, at 2pm at St. Marks Episcopal Church, 75 Cold Spring Road, Westford, Massachusetts, followed by a luncheon in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Marks Discretionary Fund or the Open Gate Garden Club of Chelmsford. Arrangements are in the care of the J.A. Healy Sons Funeral Home, 57 N. Main St., Westford. To share your thoughts and memories of Bettimarie, please visit www.healyfuneralhome.com