Mrs. Betty A. Stranch - mother of late classmate Joe Stranch

Betty Ann Stranch, 94, passed away peacefully at home early Monday morning, August 19, 2024, surrounded by her daughters Mardel, Heidi, and Gretchen. Betty was born in Orange, MA on December 28,1929, the daughter of Alfred C and Pearl M (Moore) Vorce. She was a member of the Orange High School graduating Class of 1948 and a proud member of their Marching Band and Twirlers. She resided in East Longmeadow, MA for much of her married life.
As we celebrate her life we remember her unwavering devotion to her family and the unconditional love and kindness in her heart for all of those she so deeply touched. She was not only our mother, but a mother to many who affectionately called her their second Mom. Betty was always hard at work as a homemaker unselfishly taking care of her family and the home she so very much loved. She was a very passionate seamstress creating beautiful clothing for her family as well as sewing and making alterations for women at glamorous boutiques. She would often say, “I would love to see everything I’ve made in one room”. She loved to listen to her husband’s music as he played the accordion while she made dinner or often sang along as he played while she tirelessly puttered around the house. Betty enjoyed to reminisce and tell her stories about old times as a young girl growing up on a farm; all the fun she had making maple syrup, calling the cows in, riding horseback, swimming at lake Mattawa, and visiting her Grandma Moore. She would often speak of helping to set a pretty table with the many pieces of her grandma’s green laced China. Her grandsons Joey and Nicholas would equally enjoy spending time with her listening to their Nannie reminisce of old. Betty was predeceased by the love of her life and husband Frank Joseph Stranch and by her only beloved son, Joseph Frank Stranch as well as her brother James Vorce and sister Patricia Andrews. She is survived by, and will be dearly missed by her daughter Mardel Geiss, her husband Paul, and their children Jessica, Erica, and Christopher, her daughter Heidi Gallo, her husband Joseph, and their children Joey and Nicholas, and her youngest daughter Gretchen Stranch. She was also blessed with 8 great grandchildren. Betty, the oldest of five siblings is survived by her brother Alfred Vorce Jr of New Hampshire and sister Carol Anderson of Yarmouth Port, MA. Betty dedicated her life to unconditionally loving and caring for her family; while we mourn this tremendous loss, we take comfort in knowing she is at peace. Her memory will live on in our hearts forevermore.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 5 - 7 PM and Friday, August 23, 2024 from 8 - 9 AM at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024 beginning at 9 AM at the funeral home followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 AM at St. Michael's Church, Maple Street, East Longmeadow. Burial will be in Green Lawn Cemetery, East Longmeadow.
For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.forastiere.com