Elizabeth May Pendak's Obituary
Elizabeth May Pendak Every so often a person is born who touches the hearts of everyone they meet. Elizabeth (Betty May) Pendak was such a person. She was born in North Andover, June 4th, 1922. A true townie. The youngest daughter of Luke C. and Elizabeth (McCarthy) May, She was very energetic, she skied, skated, rode horses and swam. She was a cheerleader at Johnson High, and won medals from Stevie's Pond for swimming and diving. She could swim the length of Stevie's Pond. She continued ice skating, at the lake, into her 70's, and swam at the YMCA well past age 80. Betty could be seen strolling the Common, Weir Hill, or walking to St. Michael's. Always quick with a smile, a joke, a hug, or an encouraging word, Betty was adored by all. She remained on the social scene into her golden years, playing on the senior center bowling league. She was an active member of St. Michael's Church. She worked at the First Essex Savings Bank in Lawrence. Betty was proud of her participation in the war effort. She met her husband Walter Pendak, a veteran of WWII on May 7, 1945. They married October 7 the same year. They remained married for 46 years until he passed away in 1993. Her adventuresome spirit included travelling cross country in a station wagon with her husband and 6 children ranging in age from 2-13. In 1962, Betty and Walter moved the Glennie house up Mass Ave. A woman of strong principles, she never backed down from any cause she felt connected to, never imposing her views on others. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to follow their convictions. The family vacationed at Hampton Beach. The cottage was open to all family friends, and the floor was often covered with teenagers invited to stay overnight. The invitation was also extended at home, to include friends, animals, and all living things. Betty instilled in her family a love of nature, the seasons, being outdoors. The annual Thanksgiving walk up Weir Hill will be different without her. She is survived by her children, Gerrie Berube, Joe, Nancy Sullivan, Mary Fisher, Beth Pendak. She was the mother-in-law of Ray Berube, Gladys Pendak, Richard Fisher, David Toto, Bobby Penton. As well as 10 grandchildren, Stephanie, Taqua, Jason, Jesse, Shannon, Luke, Caitlin, Jared, Joe, and Keith. She also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren Nicholas, Jordan, Mazlowe, Nathan, Kylie, Taeia, Owen and Jacob. She leaves a sister Alice Hanley, sister-in-law Theresa Uttley and many nieces, nephews and cousins in her large extended family. She is pre-deceased by sons Thomas and John-Michael, and great-granddaughter, Alexis. Her siblings Luke, Rita Farrell-Levesque, Helen Voigt, Catherine MacPherson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Michael's Parish, 196 Main St., North Andover, MA, 01845. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 21, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. in St. Michael's Church, 196 Main St., North Andover, MA. (978) 685-2983. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, MA. Family and friends may call on Sunday, November 20, 2011 from 3 to 6 P.M. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 35 Merrimack St., North Andover, MA., 01845 (978) 682-8381. To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Elizabeth May?
What’s a lesson you learned from Elizabeth May?
Share a story where Elizabeth May's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Elizabeth May you’ll never forget.
How did Elizabeth May make you smile?