Betty L. Cobb, an 11th-generation native of East Hampton, died on Dec. 4 at the Springs house of her daughter, Diane Goncalves, following a lengthy illness. She was 89.
Born on July 17, 1930, in Southampton to Vivian Merrill of Amagansett, she grew up here and in Massachusetts with her adoptive parents, William and Alberta Spencer.
Following her graduation from East Hampton High School in 1948, she attended Becker Junior College in Worcester, Mass., where she earned an associate’s degree in secretarial science.
After college, she worked as an executive secretary in Boston. It was at that job that she met Walter E. Cobb of New Bedford, the man who would become her husband of 43 years. He died in 1996.
In 1953, following their marriage, the couple moved to her childhood home on Osborne Lane in East Hampton Village, where they reared three children. She remained in that house until her poor health made it necessary to move in with her daughter and son-in-law.
She had worked as an accounts clerk for the village through six mayoral administrations prior to her retirement in 1995.
She loved to grow flowers, spend time at the beach, travel, and play table games with family and friends.
She is survived by Vinny Grimes, her partner for more than 20 years, as well as her daughter, Ms. Goncalves, and sons, Gary Cobb and Kevin Cobb, both of East Hampton. A half sister, Hazel Chase, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren also survive. A half brother, Jim Whittier, died before her.
She was “a dear friend and a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother,” her family wrote.
A funeral Mass was said at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church yesterday, followed by a reception, and an interment of ashes at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in East Hampton.
Memorial donations are suggested to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach 11978, or St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 18 James Lane, East Hampton 11937.
