Betty Muto, 94, of Framingham, MA passed away peacefully on August 9, 2024, with her beloved daughter and son-in-law by her side. She was the loving wife of the late Charles (Charlie) Muto, a Framingham Police Lieutenant, who passed away in 2009 and to whom she was married for 53 years. She leaves behind her devoted daughter Jennifer Muto and son-in-law Sol McLellan of Charlestown, MA and Silverthorne, CO and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Della (East) and Rule Hicks, her brothers Lynn, Earl, Sam and Dan Hicks and her sister Jane (Hicks) Guettner and their spouses, and her brothers-in-law Dominic Muto and Samuel Muto and their spouses. She had a close bond and special relationship with her late sister-in-law, Josephine Muto, whom she cherished being a caregiver for in Jo’s final years.
Betty will be remembered for her kindness, friendship, and work ethic and the great love she had for her daughter, who was the light of her life. She was a true friend and confidant to many, always asking how she could help. Betty had a smile for everyone she met and brought joy and laughter to those around her. Her positive outlook and happy demeanor were infectious. A social butterfly, Betty enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, meeting for coffee, going out to dinner and the occasional Manhattan cocktail. Betty loved nature and enjoyed sitting in the sun, watching the birds in her backyard and gardening in her flower garden. She adored the home she built with her husband and cherished her time living in and caring for it. She was always on the go and could often be found walking at Cushing Park or Bowditch Field. She enjoyed visiting Garden in the Woods and Tower Hill Botanic Garden, always looking to sneak a flower or plant cutting or to pick up a pinecone or special rock to take home. An avid reader, she always had a biography or history book in hand and was especially fond of reading and writing poetry. She traveled throughout the US and internationally, delighting in visiting new places with Jennifer as her tour guide. Betty’s pride and joy was her daughter, and she relished sharing Jennifer’s accomplishments and adventures with her friends.
Born in Kingsport, Tennessee, Betty was a 1948 graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School, voted Most Likely to Succeed by her senior class, a member of the National Honor Society and secretary of her senior class. She was a member of the drama club, playing the lead role in many high school plays. She briefly pursued a career as a hat model in New York City before joining Eastman Chemical, a division of Eastman Kodak, in Kingsport and moving to Framingham in 1952 to open Eastman Chemical’s Boston sales office. An ardent proponent of education, coming from a family of teachers, she took many courses at University of Tennessee, East Tennessee State College and Framingham State College. She paused her career to raise her daughter, returning to work for the Framingham School System for over 25 years as an office administrator under Dr. Peter Dittami at Barbieri Elementary School and Nanci Keller in the Department of Guidance, Social Work and Psychology, for whom she shared much mutual admiration and respect. She always had a side gig, before it was in vogue, spending time as a school crossing guard, Avon lady, and Tupperware party host.
Fondly referred to as “Mrs. Framingham” by her husband, Betty was active in town politics, serving as a Framingham Town Meeting Member (Precinct 12) for over 20 years and spent four years as a Zoning Board of Appeals member. Never one to be shy of public speaking, she often spoke at Town Meeting where she earned respect for her thorough research and preparation, and articulate presentation. She was instrumental as a member of the committee that established Cushing Memorial Park as a town green space and her activism as a member of a local neighborhood group resulted in the closure of the local incinerator, reducing air pollution in her neighborhood. She was an advocate for the elderly, spending many years as a Framingham Council on Aging member and leading the effort to provide free transportation services to the town’s seniors at the Callahan Center. She was always first to lend a hand if an elderly friend or neighbor needed assistance or a ride. A passionate Democrat, she was a member of the Framingham Democratic Committee and an election official as well as a dedicated volunteer for many state and local political campaigns. She was a member of Park Street Baptist Church which later merged with First Baptist Church in Framingham.
Although Betty will be dearly missed, her legacy will live on through the memories shared by her family and friends and her many contributions to the community.
Calling hours are Friday, August 16th from 4-7pm at Norton Funeral Home, 53 Beech St, Framingham. A funeral service will be held at Cushing Memorial Chapel in Cushing Memorial Park, 60 Dudley Rd, Framingham on Saturday, August 17th at 10am, with internment to follow at St. Stephen’s Cemetery on Fenwick Street in Framingham.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s memory may be made to Better Day Adult Social Day Program at https://betterdayprogram.org/donate or The Native Plant Trust https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/donate.
To leave a message of condolence please visit www.nortonfuneralhome.com
McCarthy McKinney Lawler Funeral Home