Elizabeth J. "Bette" Brunell, of Fitchburg

FITCHBURG: Elizabeth J. “Bette” (Enwright) Brunell, 84, died Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Health Alliance – Leominster Hospital. Bette was born in Fitchburg, April 28, 1941, a daughter of Francis and Eileen (McCann) Enwright and resided most of her life in Fitchburg. She was a 1958 graduate of St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School and continued her education at Fitchburg State College where she earned her Bachelors Degree. Years later, she would earn her Masters Degree from Assumption University. Bette began her teaching career at Lunenburg Elementary School and St. Bernard’s Elementary in Fitchburg. She spent the next 35 years in the Nashoba Regional School District, teaching at Emerson School in Bolton and the Lancaster Middle School. Much of her career was spent teaching fifth and sixth grade. She was an active member of the teachers union, having served as president of the Bolton Teachers Association and on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Bette was a devout Catholic and identified as a Franciscan. She claimed her salvation through her love and faith in Jesus Christ, the forgiveness of her sins through Jesus’ death on the cross and her eternal life through his resurrection. Bette was a longtime, active member of St. Joseph’s Church in Fitchburg, where for over 25 years, she served as the director of the Christian Education Program. She led hundreds of teens and adults through the confirmation process. She also served on the parish council, as a lector and as a Eucharistic minister. She was a member of the Serra Club, as well as The Friends of Coggshall Park and the Northern Worcester County Landlord’s Association. Bette’s generosity and hospitality were boundless. She was quick to set an extra place at her table. She was happy to open her home to family members in need of a place to stay and her pocketbook to those in need of help with bills. She believed in paying forward the loving help she had received during difficult times in her life. Bette’s “happy place” was the seashore. She spent countless summers vacationing at Hampton Beach with her parents and family. Later, she and Richard made Wells Beach their “go-to” spot each summer. Bette was a fan of Boston’s sports teams and especially enjoyed watching the Patriots and Red Sox on television. She leaves her son, William S.F. Gilman and his wife, Theresa, of Fitchburg; two daughters, Winifred Rivard and her husband, Richard, of Ashburnham, Ellen Bizzotto and her husband, Michael, of Westminster; three brothers, Francis Enwright and his wife, Kaye, of Windham, NH, Michael Enwright and his wife, Patricia, of Chelmsford, Timothy Enwright of Winchendon; her sister, Andrea Eyles of Westminster; seven grandchildren, Padraig Gilman, Kieran Gilman, Amanda Rivard, Jessica Souza, Kelley Prendergast , Shannon Bizzotto, Edward Waseleski; eight great grandchildren, Skyler Gilman, Keegan Gilman, Faith Waseleski, Sophie Prendergast, Thomas Prendergast, Gavin Prendergast, Jillian Souza and Tony Souza; her aunt, Joan McCann, many nieces, nephews and cousins and her beloved cat, Angel. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard S. Brunell in 2013; her son, Stephen Gilman, of Lancaster, in 2005 and her daughter, Elizabeth Waseleski, of Westminster, in 2003. Bette’s funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Church, 49 Woodland Street, Fitchburg. A reception and celebration of her life will take place from 12:30 to 3 pm at the Knights of Columbus, Electric Avenue, Fitchburg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bette’s memory to: Friends of Coggshallm P. O. Box 792, Fitchburg, MA 01420 Bette’s family would like to thank the nurses that cared for her over the past few years, especially Joyce Silverio and Diana Bronson. The Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon Street, Fitchburg is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Elizabeth J. "Bette" Brunell, of Fitchburg

April 28, 1941 - December 13, 2025