Elizabeth " Betty" Cioffi
1943-01-15 2018-12-19CIOFFI, Elizabeth "Betty" (Kerr) Age 75, resident of Venice, FL, and York, ME, passed away on December 19, 2018, at home in York, ME, (her beloved seaside "Brigadoon"). Daughter of the late Russell W. and Ruth A. Kerr, and originally from Arlington, MA, her life-time residences included Duxbury, MA, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, Naples, and Venice, FL. Anyone who entered Betty's home immediately saw that she had a passion for interior decorating and the arts. Indeed, her intuitive soul, attention to detail, and good taste manifested itself in so many creative endeavors. She was an accomplished artist a nd semi-professional singer. She also organized many art performances and events. She loved performing with choral groups throughout the North and South Shores, MA; most notably, the "New A Cappellas," directed by the late Richard Emery of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. Betty, along with two partners, also owned and operated Duck Hill Cargo in Duxbury, MA - an eclectic shop featuring local artwork. The shop featured her oil paintings, hand-painted decorative furniture, home furnishings, jewelry, and whimsical appointments. In 1997 she and her husband, Paul, retired to Naples, FL, where she continued her involvement in the arts. She studied various techniques, served as an art gallery manager, volunteered for various events, and produced many pieces which now hang in the homes of private collectors. Of course, Betty also enjoyed playing tennis, golf, and reading during these wonderful times. Above all, Betty adored her family and treasured being a mom and Grandma GiGi to her ei ght grandchildren. She had a wonderful sense of humor, a beautiful, infectious smile, and a shimmering twinkle in her eyes that was simply undeniable. Frankly, whether she knew it or not, she was the center of her family's universe - the bright shining star that provided them with warmth, love, empathy, and so much more. Her family will miss her, but they endeavor to live as she did - with passion, creativity, humor, grit, kindness, and the understanding that life is truly beautiful. She leaves her loving family: Paul J. Cioffi, husband of 55 years; son Douglas Cioffi and his wife Sally of Marblehead, MA and their children, Drew, Sam, Ford and Alexa; son Eric Cioffi and his wife, Liza, of Maidens, VA and their children Peyton, Diego, Anza and Mason; brother Ed Kerr and his wife, Jane, of Naples FL; sister Mary Coleman and her partner, Norman James, of Annapolis, MD; sister Sandy and Charles Glew of Medfield, MA; and sister-in-law Dorothy O'Neil Cusic of Gorham, NH. Her broth er Russell Kerr, and his wife Katherine, and her sister Jeanne Kerr Agnew, and her husband William, predeceased her. A service will be held at the chapel at St. Michael Cemetery, 500 Canterbury Street, Roslindale, MA 02131, phone number 617-524-1036, on January 2, 2018 at 12:00. In lieu of flowers, if you are inclined to do something to honor or remember Betty, please donate to: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-3721. www.pancan.org