Betty Lou (Dorsey) Lambert

WORCESTER - Betty Lou (Dorsey) Lambert, 80, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. 

 Betty Lou was born in Worcester, one of the three daughters of Edward M. and Mary A. (Sacco) Dorsey. She grew up in West Boylston, and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in early childhood education from Worcester State University. Betty Lou delighted in her career as a Kindergarten teacher retiring from the Beal school after a celebrated 28 years with the Town of Shrewsbury. “Mrs. Lambert” was a dedicated educator, who touched the lives of hundreds of “her kids” by creating a positive learning environment for all who were fortunate to experience her love and guidance in the early years of their education.

Betty Lou is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Roger Lambert; her son, Scott Lambert, his wife, Suzanne Campbell-Lambert and their daughters Miranda and Vivian to whom she was “Grammy” of Holden, MA; a sister, Barbara Gardner and her husband John of The Villages, FL; nieces and nephews, Richard Priestley, Stephen Priestley, Anne Grabauskas, Susan Bunn, Katie LeBlanc and Jessica Ray; and by her aunt, Carol Spiewak of Northborough. Betty Lou was predeceased by her sister, Elaine Priestley, formerly of West Boylston.

 After her retirement, she shared many happy hours helping to care for her granddaughters, instilling her love of learning in them and as a classroom volunteer at their school. She was a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association as well as Delta Kappa Gamma, an international professional society for the empowerment of women educators. As a member and longtime volunteer of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Betty Lou excelled at running the cotton candy machine at youth group events. She baked and delivered countless desserts for our veterans at Veterans Inc. in Worcester.

Betty Lou enjoyed taking vacations to Mayflower Beach on Cape Cod, and spending marathon sessions on the beach. She was an avid flower gardener, bird (and squirrel) watcher, and treated her granddaughters to the best Easter egg hunts and happy memories in her beautiful yard. Her greatest joys in life were spending time with her family and being there for her students. She loved each one and took great pride in their accomplishments. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

 Friends and relatives are invited to gather with the family, Sunday November 24th from 3 pm to 6 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. Her funeral will be held Monday, November 25th from the funeral home with a procession beginning at 9 am to Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 35 Fales Street where her Celebration of Christian burial Mass will be held at 9:30 am. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.

 In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Betty Lou be made to Beal School. Donations can be made at: https://www.schoolpay.com/link/InHonorOfBettyLouLambert, check donations can be made by downloading a check donation form at: https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/future/donate-now or simply, checks made out to SPS Colonial Fund can be sent to: Shrewsbury Public Schools, 100 Maple Ave, Attn: Colonial Fund/Betty Lou Lambert, Shrewsbury, MA 01545. Include “In memory of Betty Lou Lambert” in the check’s memo line, or to St. John’s Food Pantry at https://www.stjohnsfoodforthepoor.org/donations