Betty Ann Calise

CALISE, Betty A. (Coray), died on October 19, 2025, at the age of 82. She was born in Fall River, MA to the late Albertina (Sousa) and Joseph Coray. Betty was a long-time resident of Somerset, MA and Portsmouth, RI. She is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Peter P. Calise; and her two daughters Tina (husband, Dan Birch) and Lisa (husband, Conor McEachern); as well as four grandchildren, Ana Calise, Peter Birch, Timothy Birch, and Madelyn McEachern, who brought her immense joy; in addition to her sister Kathleen Ruane (husband Bob). Betty was raised in Fall River, MA and attended Sacred Heat Academy. She was a 1964 graduate of Bryant University where she met her husband, Peter. She went on to receive a master’s degree from RI College, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from Bridgewater State and Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University. Betty was a devoted and passionate educator serving as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent in Somerset, Norwood, Bridgewater-Raynham, and Barrington, RI. Betty shared her many gifts and her boundless compassion with everyone around her. Above all, she found her deepest purpose and joy in her family as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a kind, loving, and warm-hearted woman whose spirit touched and nurtured everyone she met.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, October 25th at 10:00 am in St. Barnabus Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty’s memory to The Hattie Ide Chaffee Home, 200 Wampanoag Trl, Riverside, RI 02915