Betty Lou Sanford, our beloved family matriarch and confidant, passed away peacefully on the morning of April 11, 2021 at age 101. She was dearly loved by all of us, and will be greatly missed. Just last week she smiled as she told me “Thanks to my family, I have had a wonderful, long life, and it's been a great ride!”

A long time Dalton resident, she is most often remembered because of her decades-long tenure as a physical education teacher and coach at Wahconah Regional High School. Oftentimes, while accompanied by family members for medical appointments, shopping, or other business in Pittsfield or Dalton, employees or other customers would speak to her and recall that she was their “gym teacher”. Her love of Wahconah and it's students continued throughout her life through her small scholarship offered annually to a graduating senior there.

As her health permitted, Betty Lou spent many summer days at her camp on Saratoga Lake. While there, she enjoyed fresh fish dinners, boat rides, children playing, and chatting with neighbors and friends. Her 100th birthday party there last summer was attended by about 100 neighbors, friends and of course, family, some of whom traveled hundreds of miles be part of the celebration.

A graveside funeral service will be private. Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 E. Main St, Dalton, is handling the arrangements.