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Elizabeth A. (Colavecchio) Walker, 80, longtime Clinton educator, passed away on Aug. 19 after a brief illness at the Hospital of St. Raphael, New Haven, with family by her side. Betty was born May 15, 1940, in Providence, Rhode Island to the late Frank Colavecchio and Albertha E. (Levesque) Colavecchio previously residing in West Warwick, Rhode Island before settling in Clinton in 1962.

She attended St. Xavier High School, Providence, Rhode Island and graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1962 with a BA in education. She later acquired an MA in education from Southern Connecticut State University. She also attended Quinnipiac University where she pursued a Certificate in occupational therapy. Mrs. Walker was employed by Clinton Public Schools from 1978 to 1994 after working for the Haddam-Killingworth school district for two years.

She was a member of the First Church of Christ Congregational, Clinton, and was a longtime resident of Clinton. She married Robert A. Walker in 1962 and they made their home in Clinton. Betty was a devoted wife and mother who cherished time spent with family. In addition to raising two children, she maintained her career as an educator. A lighthearted woman, she had a loving and gentle nature with a great sense of humor. A dedicated teacher, Betty spent many years working with learning disabled children, continuing to do so even after retiring in 1994. She enjoyed reading and writing as well as doing crossword puzzles. She loved to play Scrabble with family members and to gather with her lady friends to play canasta on Tuesdays.

Betty will be most remembered for her strong will and persevering nature. She is survived and will be dearly missed by a son, Michael R. Walker and his husband Steven Faiella of Danbury, and a daughter, Karen E. (Walker) Austin and her husband William E. Austin III of Northford. She is also survived by her sister Francine H. Colavecchio of Johnston, Rhode Island, as well as her beloved grandchildren Eric M. Austin of West Haven, and Kristen E Austin of Northford. In addition to her husband, Robert A. Walker, she was predeceased by her good friend the late Judith Jacobson.

Betty’s family would like to express their deep gratitude to the Hospice staff for their wonderful care and support during her illness, as well as her many friends and neighbors for their many acts of kindness over the years.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. in the First Church of Christ Congregational, Clinton. A calling hour will be held for one hour prior to the service in church. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Warwick, Rhode Island. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her memory may be made to the First Church of Christ Congregational, Clinton.