Jul 1, 1929 – Dec 24, 2025
With great sadness, the family of Betty Maxine Zerfas announces her passing on December 24, 2025, at the age of 96. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald J. Zerfas, and her son, John A. Zerfas. She will be lovingly remembered by their six children, Thomas Zerfas (Lucretia), Michael Zerfas (Anna), Bernard Zerfas (Michele), Patricia Zerfas (Jesse), Janet Spaeth, Stephen Zerfas (Julie); daughter in law, Beth Zerfas, her sister Susan Thomas, thirteen grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and close friends.
Born and raised in Albion, Michigan, the daughter of Michael and Anna Persin, she was a long-time resident of Reading, Massachusetts and Kissimmee, Florida. She met her husband, Gerald Zerfas, and they were married in a double wedding with Gerald’s sister in 1951 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Albion, Michigan. With the arrival of her first child, she turned her attention to full-time child rearing as she raised seven children. Betty enjoyed decades of family camping, including at the 1967 Montreal World’s Fair, Florida and Indiana. The family ate well while camping; Betty even made pies in an oven enclosure that rested upon a Coleman burner. She was a great baker and cook and was known for making delicious pies. She also enjoyed cake decorating and attended classes to hone her craft. She always made sure that every holiday and birthday had a homemade, well-decorated cake. Additionally, she was well skilled at sewing, making clothes, stuffed animals, and dolls. She enjoyed playing bingo and seemed to have better luck than most at winning. Gerald and Betty moved to Kissimmee, Florida in 1997 to enjoy their retirement and the sun. She enjoyed playing bingo, swimming and spending time with family. She was a member of the Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church.
A viewing will be held at Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn Street, (corner of Woburn St.) Reading, MA on December 29 from 4-7 PM, followed by her funeral starting from the funeral home at 9:30 am, followed by a Mass on December 30 at 10:30 AM at St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn Street, Reading. Interment will be at Wood End Cemetery, 33 Franklin Street, Reading, MA.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St Agnes Church. www.christthekingreading.org
For directions and online guest book visit www.douglassfuneralhome.com
