Haverhill – Betty (Karekos) Church, 85, of Haverhill, formerly Merrimack, NH, passed away Friday April 8 at the Penacook Place Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family.Born in Haverhill, she was the daughter of the late, Charles and Rallou (Handakas) Karekos. She attended Haverhill Public Schools and Haverhill High School. Mrs. Church was primarily a homemaker, moving to different parts of the country as her husband was employed by the U.S. Government. Prior to settling in Merrimack, NH where she lived for over forty-years, she and her family resided in Naples, FL, and Camarillo, CA. Having a fondness for dogs especially Standard Poodles, she raised and entered many of her dogs for show. She and her late husband enjoyed traveling throughout the country and did so often.The widow of Herbert E. Church who died in 2003, she was also predeceased by her son, Herbert E. Church Jr, and her daughter, Pamela C. Kokaleski. She is survived by her siblings including her custodian and caregiver, Dorothy Early, of Bradford, Eleanor Dagianis, of Haverhill, Lucy MacDougall, of Bradford, Steven Karekas and his wife, Dorie, of Tampa, FL, Peter Karekas, of Newark, NY, and brother in law, Daniel Sullivan, of Haverhill. She also leaves three grandchildren Cary Chapman, of Gloucester, MA, Alenna Whitmore, of NH, and Charlene Madera, of Nashua, NH a great grandchild, Asher E. Whitmore, and several nieces and nephews including Ricky Early III. She was predeceased by her siblings, John Karekos, Mary Varonfakis, Christos Karekos, and Patricia Sullivan, and brothers in law, William MacDougall and James Dagianis.The family of Mrs. Church would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Penacook place for the loving care given to her during her residency there.Friends and family are respectfully invited to calling hours on Sunday evening from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home 486 Main St. Haverhill. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 1:00 PM at Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Church, 154 Winter St. Haverhill. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Mill St. Haverhill. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Penacook Place Activities Fund 150 Water St. Haverhill, MA 01830. Please visit Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook, or www.comeaufuneral.com
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