Betty Jane Sweet

Betty Jane Flory was born and raised in Bangor, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Willis Austin Flory and Ada Alberta (Cory) Flory.  She was known as “BJ” to everyone and was very active in high school, including as president of the Tri-Hi-Y, drum majorette in the school marching band, and lead player in school plays.  During World War II, BJ was twice featured on the cover of Homefront Magazine, published to boost the morale of soldiers overseas.  She attended Pennsylvania State University and was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority.  In 1947, she and Waldo Sweet were married.

The couple raised three loving sons in their home in Bangor, Pennsylvania.  BJ was a devoted wife and mother and cherished all family times together, especially their many summer camping trips in the Poconos and elsewhere.  She and Waldo were active in the First United Evangelical Congregational Church of Bangor, where she sang in the choir.  BJ worked in the administrative offices of the Bangor school system for many years before retiring in 1991.  In 1995 BJ and Waldo moved to North Port, Florida, and enjoyed happy and active years together in the Lazy River retirement community.  In 2011, several years following her husband’s death, BJ moved to Newbury Court in Concord, Massachusetts.  She was active with numerous committees and social events and quickly made new friends.  Throughout her life, crossword puzzles were a great interest.  She also enjoyed painting, creating gifts for her family, and creating designs for her husband’s stained-glass hobby.  Frequent visits with family always included spirited card and board games, which provided hours of laughter and fun.

Perhaps most importantly, BJ will be remembered for her warm personality and easy-going nature, which led to many long-time friendships wherever she lived.  She was always non-judgmental, showing loving care to many.  Over the years, she received many notes of thanks and gratitude for the kindness she had shown to others…from a young girl in a wedding in which she knew very few to an elderly and cantankerous roommate in the hospital.  BJ was kind and gentle to all.

She is survived by two sons, David (and wife JoEllen) of Rockport, Massachusetts, and Jerry (and wife Debra) of Glenview, Illinois.  A third son, Terry, died in 2019 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, where he lived with his wife, Megan.  BJ is also survived by four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be private.  

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to:
Lynch Syndrome Center of Dana Farber Cancer Institute
450 Brookline Ave., Dana Building #1122
Boston, MA 02215.


Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742  978-369-3388  www.concordfuneral.com