Joanne Tenney, 81

Joanne "Betty" (Morrison) Tenney, a longtime resident of Brattleboro, died peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on March 1, 2016, at the age of 81, following a short period of declining health.

Born in Springfield, VT, on December 22, 1934, the daughter of the late John Andrew and Helen Sarah (Graham) Morrison. Betty graduated from Springfield High School in 1952. She then went on to earn a bachelor's degree in education from Castleton in 1956. Education was very important to Betty. Early in her career, she helped to establish the Head Start Program in the Brattleboro area, and then went on to teach first and second grades in West Dummerston, VT, for over 35 years.

On December 27, 1955, Betty married Carl Alexander Tenney in Springfield, VT, and they enjoyed 43 years together before his death in 1998. She had a loving family life with her husband, children and grandchildren. She was an incredibly supportive and proud mother and Nana and rarely missed any event that her children or grandchildren were involved in. She was an avid Red Sox fan who also enjoyed oceanside vacations from Maine to Florida with family and friends. Betty's early childhood was filled with days swimming and boating with her family at their camp on Lake Sunapee in NH. Betty had many wonderful gatherings with her two sisters and their families during Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, Nana, school teacher and friend, who will be missed dearly.

She is predeceased by her husband, Carl, and sister, Eileen Austin Neal. She leaves a daughter, Sally Ann Tenney and Tim of Brattleboro; two sons, Carl Andrew Tenney and Sheri of Manassas, VA, and Shawn Eric Tenney and Tina of South Burlington VT; four grandchildren, Heather Nicole, Ashley Anne, Alyssa Brooke and Shane Alexander; a sister and brother-in-law Florence and Ted Lindgren of Springfield, VT; as well as many adored nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be celebrated on Saturday, March 12, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Eagles Club, 54 Chickering Drive, Brattleboro, VT. The Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home, 57 High St., Brattleboro, VT, is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, a fund has been established to purchase books for children. Donations may be made to the Betty Tenney Fund, c/o Oak Grove School, 15 Moreland Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com. 

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