Bette L. (Richardson) Place, 91, died on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Mass General Brigham Hospital in Boston.
She was born in Newton on Dec. 18, 1934, the daughter of the late George P. Richardson and Alice M. (Porter) Richardson.
Bette was the devoted and loving wife of the late Herbert D. “Bert” Place who died on June 9, 2021. She is survived by her brother George P. Richardson, Jr., and his wife, Susan J. Richardson of Wayland; Spencer Ball and his wife, Laura, of Wayland; Nick Ball and his wife Susan of Ashland; Stephenie Abate and her husband Greg of Upton; David Richardson and his wife, Chris, of Warren; Kenneth Richardson and his wife Leah of Somerville; Nancy Richardson and her husband William of Plainville; and Judith Secor and her husband, Shannon, of Sharpsburg, Ga. She was the sister-in-law of Barbara Richardson of Hopkinton and sister of the late Spencer Richardson and Jean Ball. Also survived by many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Bette was a lifelong resident of Wayland and graduated from Wayland High School with the Class of 1952. A few months after graduation, she and her high school sweetheart, Bert, were married. They were married for 68 years.
Bette had a loving and caring career for over 30 years as an administrative pediatric assistant, beginning with Dr. John Taub and for many years with Dr. Karen J. Back, both in Wayland. She will be fondly remembered by all the families and children she cared for during her lifetime and the warm advice she gave to the parents.
Bette was a lifelong member of the Community United Methodist Church of Cochituate and volunteered for many of the projects of the church including the annual Christmas fair, The Create and Relate Group, and the soup kitchen, as well as many other tasks that were asked of her over the years.
She loved to garden, both flowers and vegetables, at her Wayland home and was generous in sharing her bounty. She loved to do arts and crafts, especially painting of ceramic pottery and gifted them to family and friends.
She and Bert were devoted to each other and always enjoyed time with family, especially the children. Bette was a woman of quiet strength, fiercely independent and loved by all.
Visitations were held Aug. 25 at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home. The funeral service was Aug. 26. Interment followed in the Place family plot in Lakeview Cemetery.
For those who desire, in lieu of flowers her family kindly suggests gifts in Bette’s memory may be sent to the Community United Methodist Church, 5 Damon St, Wayland, MA 01778.
To leave condolences, visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.