WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. —  Sebastiana "Betsey" Maria Burdick, of Williamstown, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2024, at age 87.

Born Dec. 30, 1937, to Ida and Salvatore Gianquinto, she grew up in the Little Italy neighborhood of North Adams. After graduating from the former St. Joseph's High School in 1955 with high honors, she went to work in the office of Wall-Streeter Shoe Co.

In 1958, Betsey met Norman Burdick on a blind date; one week later, they were engaged. Norman had grown up a farm boy in Charlemont. Although they came from different backgrounds, Betsey and Norman quickly discovered they shared similar plans, hopes, and dreams for the future. They married on Aug. 9, 1958, at St. Anthony of Padua Church (now St. Elizabeth of Hungary). They purchased a house with 20 acres in South Williamstown, creating a family homestead called Steepmeadow Farm. Their life-long partnership was to last 66 years.

From city girl living in a tenement to farm wife and mother, Betsey approached life with grace, strength, resilience, and beauty. Betsey gave birth to 6 children in 7 years. One of her adult grandchildren wanted to know what it was like in those busy, early years. He asked her, "Was it a blur-" After a thoughtful pause, she replied, "I wouldn’t say it was a blur. Every day was an important day."

When her youngest child began school, Betsey went to work outside the home. Her primary job was library assistant at Mount Greylock Regional School for 20 years. Other employment included Steele's Store (now The Store at Five Corners), Hart's Drug Store, Friendly's, The Mill on the Floss, Wild Oats Market, and Green River Farms. She was also a driving instructor for Duquette's and Dave's driving schools.

Betsey never stopped learning, discovering, and growing. She was insatiably curious, a world traveler, and a voracious reader. She attended North Adams State College (now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts), focusing on psychology and religion, one course at a time. She stopped just short of earning a bachelor's degree; that had never really been her goal.

Betsey volunteered in her community as a Cub Scout Den Mother, Brownie Troop Leader, docent at The Clark Art Institute, and usher at Williamstown Theater Festival. She was a founding member of the Williamstown Food Co-Op, and a spiritual counselor for Hospice. She volunteered for The Women's Exchange (to support the Visiting Nurse Association) and the Williamstown Garden Club, and was active in the Fresh Air Fund and ABC (A Better Chance), programs to benefit inner-city youth.

Betsey deeply believed she walked in the company of angels. She embraced all types of religious faiths and spiritual traditions, including Roman Catholic, and United Church of Christ/Congregational. She also enjoyed Sufi services at The Abode of the Message.

A spirit of beauty – both inner and outer – embodied her life. She was an artist, painter, poet, writer, seamstress, and needleworker. Her flower and herb gardens, lovingly tended, amazed everyone. She was a bountiful cook and baker, nourishing the soul as well as the body. Her voice uplifted and sustained The Burdick Family Singers as they performed at folk festivals, church suppers, and country fairs throughout the Northeast. Seeking out tag sales, flea markets, and junk barns far and wide, she had a keen eye for folk art, furnishings, housewares, antiques, and vintage collectibles, filling her home with many beautiful treasures that have become family heirlooms. She described the decorative style of her house as Early American Attic.

Betsey's role as mother and Nana (grandmother and great-grandmother) also extended to friends, neighbors, and all who entered her warm and welcoming home. Everyone she met felt the presence of her humble yet powerful spirit. Betsey lived life to the fullest for as long as she could, until more than a decade ago, when Parkinson’s Disease began to take its toll. She spent her final years in nursing homes, with her loving husband by her side every day until his passing in 2024.

Her family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation to the staffs at Williamstown Commons and the former Sweetbrook nursing homes, for their dedicated care of Betsey. Also, thank you to all at Hospice who helped in her final months.

In addition to her parents, Betsey was predeceased by her husband Norman, her sister Emma Mason, and her brother Salvatore Gianquinto Jr.

She is survived by her sister Flavia Gilmore of San Marcos, Calf. She leaves her six children; Shawn Burdick (Kate) of North Adams, Scott Burdick (Laurie) of Lanesborough, Todd Burdick (Michelle) of North Adams, Tracey Golding (Peter) of Puyallup, Wash., Liza Barrett (Paul) of Hancock, and Ross Burdick (Elizabeth) of Scarborough, Maine. She also leaves 12 grandchildren; Justin (Amy), Amanda (Harrison), Annabel (Rashaan), Ted (Sara), Hank, Ben, Lucy, Abe, Will, Priya, Izzy, and Oliver; and her 4 great-grandchildren; Kai, Ellie, Wesley, and Jrue. Betsey is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Betsey's legacy inspires us to keep beauty in our lives.

FUNERAL NOTICE: A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 29, at 10 a.m. at Second Congregational Church, 81 Hancock Road, Williamstown. After the service, we will gather in the church's Fellowship Hall to share memories and enjoy Betsey's favorite pies and pastries. A private interment of ashes will be held at a later date in the family plot at Steepmeadow Farm.

In her memory, donations may be made to The Norman & Betsey Burdick Scholarship Fund (for Mount Greylock Regional School students entering the field of education), in care of FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS CENTRAL CHAPEL, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.