Betty N. Koch

Betty Jean (Nelson) Koch, 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 4, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Upton, MA.  She was preceded in death by her husband, who passed away January 13, 2006.

Born in Berwind, WV, she was the daughter of Alex and Josephine (Winslow) Nelson.  She had 3 siblings; Gerald Nelson, Anna Mae (Nelson) McKee, and Patsy Jo (Nelson) Miller, all who preceded her in death.  Betty was a southern woman at heart and even though she moved to Chicago, IL in 1951, she never lost her accent or her southern charm. Betty brought that southern charm to New England in August of 2013.

Betty was a devoted Mother and Grandmother and was the consummate matriarch.  Her family was everything to her.  Betty loved to spend time with her children and traveled with them across the country.  Some of her favorite locations were Cable, WI, New York City and Walt Disney World, with her most recent visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth at Christmastime, 2022.

Betty was loving Mother to Michael Koch (d. 2023), Susan Malek (Gerald, d. 2020) and W. Alex Koch.  She was Grandmother to Angela L. Koch and Great-Grandmother to Michael and Madison Dreyer.

Betty’s family wishes to thank the dedicated professionals at the Reliant Medical Group, VNA Care and Tri-Valley for their unwavering commitment to her ongoing care.  A special thank you to her dear friend, Susan Miccile, Jill Greene of Tri-Valley Inc. and Amanda Light, her caregiver.  They were her guardian angels.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Tuesday, February 13, in the Pickering & Son Upton Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, Upton.  A private memorial service will be held in the Spring, Betty’s favorite time of the year.

Betty loved flowers and would always surround herself with them, so flowers are greatly appreciated, but if you would prefer to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please donate to "Walk to End Alzheimer’s to Honor Betty Koch" via 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Greater Boston - Cambridge, MA: Mr. W Alex Koch | Walk to End Alzheimer's

“Take me home, country roads, to the place I belong, West Virginia, mountain mama take me home, country road.”