Claremont, NH – Elizabeth “Betty” Gierko passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026, at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, NH. Born on April 12, 1937, in Montpelier, VT, Betty was the oldest of twelve children. To many of her siblings, friends, and family, she was a second mother, and we often joked that she had been raising children her entire life. Fiercely protective of those she loved, Betty always tried to do the right thing to the best of her ability. She was known for her candor, her sure sense of right and wrong, and her deep loyalty to those in her circle.
Betty was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Richard Gierko; her parents; and her siblings Margaret Murray, Shirley (and Frank) Decoteau, Sheila (and Tom) McKinney, Joan Murray, Vicki Goodhue, Robert Murray, Jerry Murray, and Douglas Murray.
Betty is survived by her two children, Stefan Gierko of Claremont, New Hampshire, and Sharon Ayer of Springfield, Vermont; her grandson, Larry “Tre” Ayer III, of Springfield, Vermont; her sisters, Gail Patten of Lebanon, New Hampshire, and Glenora Bennett of Newport, New Hampshire; her brother, Jack Murray of Claremont, New Hampshire; sisters-in-law Carolynn Murray of Laconia, New Hampshire, and Doris Murray of North Conway, New Hampshire; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, their respective families, and cherished chosen-family friends.
Betty was deeply involved in the Claremont community. Over the years, she served as a Library Trustee, a member of the Claremont Action Network, a past president and long-term member of the Stevens High School Alumni Association, and a devoted member of the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church community in Claremont.
She was perhaps best known for her many years as a para-educator and as the In-School Suspension monitor at both Claremont Middle School and Stevens High School. She was firm, but always fair and deeply committed to the students in her care.
Betty’s family would like to thank the staff at Horizon Dental Associates and the Valley Regional Hospital Emergency Room for their care during her emergency. We would also like to thank the staff of the Dartmouth Hitchcock Neurology Critical Care Unit-especially Tori, Jess, and Erin-and the staff at the Jack Byrne Center-especially Dr. Meredith MacMartin, Jessica, and Marion-for their compassionate care at the end of Mom’s long and meaningful life. We cannot say enough about the incredible support Betty and our family received.
There will be no calling hours or funeral Mass. The family will have a private family burial. The family will also request that a Mass be said in her honor at St. Joseph’s and plan to announce a community gathering to celebrate Betty’s life later in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider making a donation in Betty’s memory to the Jack Bryne Center or the Stevens High School Alumni Association in her memory.
For donations to the Jack Byrne Center, gifts can be sent to: Medical & Healthcare Advancement, Dartmouth Health, One Medical Center Drive (HB 7070) Lebanon, NH 03756. (Please note on your check or in the online note that the gift is for the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care Gift Fund in memory of Elizabeth “Betty” Gierko). For credit card gifts, please make a gift online at https://dhgeiselgiving.org/cause/palliative-and-hospice-care or call 603-653-0700.
For donations to the Stevens High School Alumni Association, gifts can be sent to: Stevens High School Alumni Association, PO Box 710, Claremont NH 03743. (Please note on your check that the gift is for the Jeffrey A. Patten Memorial Fund in memory of Elizabeth “Betty” Gierko.) For credit card gifts, please make a gift online, designated to Jeffrey A. Patten, at https://stevensalumninh.com/product/contributions/.
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