Elizabeth Ann (Hatch) Meuse

Mrs. Elizabeth A.(Hatch) “Betty”Meuse of Reading, Ma, formerly of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at age 92.

Beloved wife of the late Leo D. Meuse. Mother of Lauren Chasse and her husband Alan of Andover, Cynthia Cunningham and her husband Joseph of Stoneham, Nancy Bovio and her husband Michael of Beverly, Michael Meuse and his wife Marti of GA and the late Jeanette and Thomas Meuse. Grandmother fourteen and great grandmother of twenty two. Sister of the late Virginia Hamlin. Sister in law of Ross Hamlin of GA.

Elizabeth was born in Melrose, Ma on May 15, 1927, one of two daughters of the late Walter L. and Alice (Lally) Hatch.

Raised in Melrose, she graduated from Melrose High School, class of 1945 and from Vesper George Art School in Boston. She was a gifted artist by profession.

Betty independently worked with the New England Telephone Company for many years, as a pen and ink artist, drawing their covers and ads. She created the first telephone book cover at its inception.

She married Graham T. Riggs and settled in Melrose to raise their three daughters. Betty, upon becoming widowed at 40 years old, rose bravely to the challenge of sole parent, returning to work full time to support and raise her daughters well. She remarried Leo D. Meuse, a wonderful man four years later, who was her soulmate.

Betty was an active member in both Melrose and Reading communities. She participated in Melrose Mothers’ Club, Phi Theta Xi, the Reading Tennis Club and Meadowbrook Country Club. She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Melrose.

Mom was a lover of all things athletic, whether it was field hockey, softball, horseback riding or tennis in high school to pogo sticking with her young daughters to dancing and playing tennis still excellently with her husband Leo. Horseback riding up Lynn Fells Parkway remained a particularly favorite recollection.

Betty had a ready smile, a quick sense of humor and a great love to laugh and enjoy life. She especially loved traveling to the beach after a storm to see the surf then relished eating her favorite lobster roll at a north shore restaurant. On these trips, she often shared interesting  nuggets of family history that were inspiring. She adored babies, and dogs of all kinds - and they loved her right back!
She loved to socialize and had many wonderful,loyal friends.

Mom was a naturally gifted cook and hostess for many a Christmas and other holidays. She valued family fiercely and truly enjoyed gathering all together. Most of all, Betty was devoted to her children and grandchildren.
She will be deeply missed, but lovingly remembered for her devotion to her family.

Funeral from the  Funeral Home on Friday, Jan.17th at 1:pm. Funeral Service in Old South United Methodist Church, 6 Salem St. (Rte. 129), Reading at 1:30pm. Relatives and friends may visit at the funeral home Friday 11-1pm. Interment Charles Lawn Cemetery, Reading. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty’s name to MSPCA-Angell, Attn: Donations, 350 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130. Or Pan Mass Challenge, 77 4th Ave, Needham, MA 02494.

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