Westfield – Betty Jean Champion (Reno) – 1927-2017 – tap danced her way into heaven on April 27, 2017. Born in North Chelmsford, MA to Grace Goss and Raymond Earl Reno Sr, she was the proud older sister of Raymond Reno Jr (Oceanside, CA). She is now reunited with her husband Richard Champion II (died 1976) and beloved son George Joseph Perron, Jr (died 1997). She leaves behind three other adored children, including daughters; Deborah Jean Phillips (Cumming GA) and Rhetta Jane Champion (Russell MA) and son Richard George Champion III (Westfield MA). She will be missed by her nine grandchildren Victoria Correia (Westfield, MA), Jason Perron (Westfield, MA), Dawn Cantrell (Alpharetta, GA), Heather Crites (Murrells Inlet, SC), Erica McDermott (Hockessin, DE), Timothy O’Driscoll (Granville, MA), Rebecca Perron (Southwick, MA), Alexandra Petcovic (Alpharetta, GA), and Elyssa Smith (Yarmouth, MA), and 21 great grandchildren. Helyn Flanagan was a fellow teacher and lifelong friend.
She developed a love of dance at a young age, leading to time spent with the Rockettes during WWII. She owned a local dance studio for 40+ years and taught many generations the love of dance. Her legacy can be seen throughout Western Massachusetts and beyond, as many students became teachers themselves. Many more Championettes graced the stages of professional productions all over the globe. She also made sure to give back to the community through dance by performing at nursing homes, veteran’s homes, and on the boardwalk in Wildwood New Jersey. Even after retirement and a move to Georgia, she taught tap and line dancing to senior citizens, who participated in and won many talent competitions. She was a lifelong Methodist and in recent years she enjoyed Sunday services in Russell, MA. She will be remembered for her passion for and lifelong love of dance, as well as her generosity of spirit. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 2-5 PM in the Firtion Adams FS, 76 Broad St. Westfield. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday at 10 AM in the funeral home, burial will be private and at the convenience. Donations in Betty-Jeans name may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Disease Association, 264 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA 01104. www.firtionadams.com
