Dr. Elizabeth "Betty" Hooper Gleason, decades-long Wareham general practitioner and philanthropist, passed away on Saturday, March 12 at the age of 89. Her death came eight days after her husband of 63 years, Dr. Charles Sherman Gleason - moving force behind the Wareham YMCA - died suddenly at age 90.

At a memorial service Tuesday, family members and friends remembered the woman who, though busy with her professional career, found time to give back to the community, raised five children, and was the rock behind her loving husband.

She is survived by her children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A full obituary appears here.

Successful doctor

Dr. Betty was one of four female students in her medical class at Tufts Medical School. She graduated in 1946 and moved to Wareham with Dr. Sherm, a pediatrician, in 1950. The couple operated a medical practice out of their High Street home.

"She laughed that she would always get a seat on a crowded bus after anatomy class [at Tufts], due to the smell of formaldehyde." - Dr. Amy Gleason Wiegandt, daughter

"Her patients loved her. The whole town loved her. ... There seemed to be no end to her abilities." - Betsy Dunn, employee in Dr. Sherm’s office

"As a physician, townsperson, and mother, her act is hard to follow." - Dr. Amy Gleason Wiegandt

Caring citizen

Among her accomplishments and community service, Dr. Betty conducted clinics for women and worked to form Wareham Hospice and Wareham Area Counseling, a psychiatric counseling service which currently operates under the name Bayview Associates Counseling.

"When she saw a need, [she] worked to make sure that need [was] met. ... Betty gave freely of her time." - Betsy Dunn

"She was a person who gave so much of herself." - Dr. Lou Gomez, former Wareham dentist, colleague

Loving mother, grandmother

Dr. Betty's loved ones cited her patience as one of her many virtues.

"[Playing] Scrabble was another time she displayed the ultimate patience. We played every time I [visited]." - Andrew So, grandson

"She was the one to go to if dad said 'no.'" - Dr. Amy Gleason Wiegandt

"In a way, her death was a reflection of how she was in life. A person who first thought of others." - Manfred Wiegandt, son-in-law, explaining that as the family tried to decide how to care for her after Dr. Sherm's death, she seemingly made the choice for them.

Dr. Sherm’s rock

Family members noted that Dr. Betty's patience is evident now more than ever, as she appeared to hang on to life even as her health declined.

"Mom was always the quiet, behind-the-scenes force behind the family. ... She was our foundation and the rock behind dad." - William Hooper Gleason, son

"Until the end, she continued to be patient with grandpa. .. She would not leave grandpa's side. ... It was clear to me that she was waiting all this time for grandpa until the day he didn't need her anymore." - Andrew So

"It is impossible for me to speak about Dr. Betty without sharing some words about Dr. Sherm. ... They were inseparable." - Dr. Lou Gomez