Obituary for Bettyann Gruber (Cohen)
Mrs. Bettyann (Cohen) Gruber, passed away peacefully in Sarasota, Florida on January 11, 2023 with her children by her side after a brief and brave battle with bone marrow cancer.
Mrs. Gruber was born in Patterson, New Jersey on December 17, 1938, the daughter of the late Samuel and Alice Cohen. She grew up in Nyack, NY and graduated Nyack High School with many awards and superlatives including the Rensselaer Medal for math and science. She went on to receive her BA in math and psychology from the Cornell School of Arts and Sciences class of 1960.
While at Cornell, she met her beloved husband, Dr. Martin Gruber, DVM who predeceased her in 2013. They married in 1960. Bettyann taught math at Ithaca High School while Marty completed veterinary school. In 1963 they moved to Chelmsford and started the Chelmsford Animal Clinic at 11 Fletcher Street. Bettyann was a devoted wife and mother, supporting Marty in his practice while raising their family.
Betty was a longtime member of the Chelmsford Garden Club. She volunteered for many charities including United Way, American Cancer Society, Lowell General Hospital Auxiliary, St. Joseph's Hospital and most recently, Southeastern Guide Dogs. She was a part of many social committees and Vice President of her neighborhood association in Sarasota.
Betty was a member of Vesper Country Club for over 30 years. She enjoyed playing golf with many good friends and won the Lamson Cup with Marty in 2011. As charter member of the Chelmsford Swim and Tennis Club, she could be found in her tennis whites enjoying many years of friendships. She was back at CS&T years later to watch her grandchildren swim and play tennis in the next generation. For the last 8 years she has enjoyed membership at Nabnasset Country Club playing summer golf and bridge with great friends.
Betty was extremely creative and in the 1970's began her own flower arranging business, Bouquets by Bettyann. For years she provided silk flower arrangements for weddings, events and home decor. Her crafts also included designing and knitting hundreds of sweaters and even skirts. She sewed window treatments and purses, painted watercolors and in most recent years, made bracelets and necklaces by bead weaving. She enjoyed selling them and giving them as gifts to friends.
Since 1996 she and Marty enjoyed a home at StoneyBrook Golf and Country Club in Sarasota, Florida where she made more wonderful friends to golf and play bridge with and have fun. This community of friends and neighbors became even more dear to her after Marty passed. She relied on their support and was a great friend to so many. She made sure to organize everyone's birthday dinners out and subscriptions to performing arts and garden events.
What made her happiest was her family, her husband, Marty, her son, Dr. Ronald D. Gruber, DVM and his wife, Susan of Avon, Colorado, his daughter, Wendy Segal, JD and her husband, John of Chelmsford and her 5 grandchildren, Allison and Robert Gruber, Julia, Abigail and Samuel Segal. She was a huge presence in their lives and had so much fun watching them grow into wonderful young adults. Her pride for her children and grandchildren was communicated to anyone who would listen! She is also survived by her brother, Dr. Lawrence Cohen and his wife Lenore, and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Albert and Linda Gruber.
Her funeral service will take place at Congregation Shalom, 87 Richardson Road, North Chelmsford, MA at 11:30 am on Thursday January 19th. Burial to follow at Temple Beth El Cemetery, Waverly Avenue, Chelmsford, MA. Livestream to the service is available through the temple website: congregationshalom.org/worship. Click on the picture of the synagogue under "live streaming is available." Memorial observances will take place on Thursday from 5 to 8 pm at Mrs. Gruber’s home.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to, may make a contribution in memory of Mrs. Gruber to The Southeastern Guide Dogs, Chelmsford Garden Club, or a charity of your choice.
Mrs. Gruber was born in Patterson, New Jersey on December 17, 1938, the daughter of the late Samuel and Alice Cohen. She grew up in Nyack, NY and graduated Nyack High School with many awards and superlatives including the Rensselaer Medal for math and science. She went on to receive her BA in math and psychology from the Cornell School of Arts and Sciences class of 1960.
While at Cornell, she met her beloved husband, Dr. Martin Gruber, DVM who predeceased her in 2013. They married in 1960. Bettyann taught math at Ithaca High School while Marty completed veterinary school. In 1963 they moved to Chelmsford and started the Chelmsford Animal Clinic at 11 Fletcher Street. Bettyann was a devoted wife and mother, supporting Marty in his practice while raising their family.
Betty was a longtime member of the Chelmsford Garden Club. She volunteered for many charities including United Way, American Cancer Society, Lowell General Hospital Auxiliary, St. Joseph's Hospital and most recently, Southeastern Guide Dogs. She was a part of many social committees and Vice President of her neighborhood association in Sarasota.
Betty was a member of Vesper Country Club for over 30 years. She enjoyed playing golf with many good friends and won the Lamson Cup with Marty in 2011. As charter member of the Chelmsford Swim and Tennis Club, she could be found in her tennis whites enjoying many years of friendships. She was back at CS&T years later to watch her grandchildren swim and play tennis in the next generation. For the last 8 years she has enjoyed membership at Nabnasset Country Club playing summer golf and bridge with great friends.
Betty was extremely creative and in the 1970's began her own flower arranging business, Bouquets by Bettyann. For years she provided silk flower arrangements for weddings, events and home decor. Her crafts also included designing and knitting hundreds of sweaters and even skirts. She sewed window treatments and purses, painted watercolors and in most recent years, made bracelets and necklaces by bead weaving. She enjoyed selling them and giving them as gifts to friends.
Since 1996 she and Marty enjoyed a home at StoneyBrook Golf and Country Club in Sarasota, Florida where she made more wonderful friends to golf and play bridge with and have fun. This community of friends and neighbors became even more dear to her after Marty passed. She relied on their support and was a great friend to so many. She made sure to organize everyone's birthday dinners out and subscriptions to performing arts and garden events.
What made her happiest was her family, her husband, Marty, her son, Dr. Ronald D. Gruber, DVM and his wife, Susan of Avon, Colorado, his daughter, Wendy Segal, JD and her husband, John of Chelmsford and her 5 grandchildren, Allison and Robert Gruber, Julia, Abigail and Samuel Segal. She was a huge presence in their lives and had so much fun watching them grow into wonderful young adults. Her pride for her children and grandchildren was communicated to anyone who would listen! She is also survived by her brother, Dr. Lawrence Cohen and his wife Lenore, and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Albert and Linda Gruber.
Her funeral service will take place at Congregation Shalom, 87 Richardson Road, North Chelmsford, MA at 11:30 am on Thursday January 19th. Burial to follow at Temple Beth El Cemetery, Waverly Avenue, Chelmsford, MA. Livestream to the service is available through the temple website: congregationshalom.org/worship. Click on the picture of the synagogue under "live streaming is available." Memorial observances will take place on Thursday from 5 to 8 pm at Mrs. Gruber’s home.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to, may make a contribution in memory of Mrs. Gruber to The Southeastern Guide Dogs, Chelmsford Garden Club, or a charity of your choice.