The Dec. 5 fire totally destroyed the home of Betty Bodendorf and her son, Jay. (WNG File Photo)
MONTGOMERY – Residents of Montgomery, still reeling from the tragic loss of Fire Chief Steve Frye at the scene of a house fire on December 5, have also been concerned about the total loss of the family dwelling on Southampton Road, the long-time home of Betty Bodendorf and, more recently, her son Jay.
Julie Pike of the Montgomery Historical Society said Bodendorf, who is 92, had a long connection with the house that was built in 1792, and was one of the oldest in the town. Pike said it came into the Washburn family at some point after the 1870 census. Levi Washburn, Betty’s father, was born there in 1891. Betty and her late husband Warren Bodendorf purchased the home from Betty’s parents, Levi and Lena Washburn, in 1950. Over the years, Betty had collected information on family genealogy, all of which was lost in the fire. Her late husband was a prolific oil painter, and many of his paintings were also lost in the fire.
Historical Society photo of the Bodendorf home built in 1792, one of the oldest in Montgomery. (Photo submitted)
Currently, Bodendorf and her son are in a temporary rental in Westfield, but hope to rebuild on the same property in Montgomery, according to Pike.
“The whole community was, I believe, stunned by this tragedy, and we concentrated all our efforts on Steve’s family and what the loss of a firefighter means to all of us,” Pike, whose husband was a member of the fire department, and whose son-in-law is now, said. She said they thought so much of Steve in town. “They are doing their grieving as a group thing, I think that’s helping,” she said.
“After all the ceremonies were over, several people in town talked among themselves about the 92-year-old widow who lost her home in the fire, myself included, and I finally expressed what others were thinking — we should, as a community, do something to help her,” Pike added.
The community has come together to start a donation fund to help the family recover from their losses. Pike said she and her daughter Laura Flechsig and another member of the Historical Society opened an account for the Bodendorfs at the United Bank in Huntington to help them rebuild their lives. She said it was easier to do it as a group.
Donations should be made payable to the BODENDORF FIRE RECOVERY FUND and mailed to United Bank, Attention: Bodendorf Fire Recovery Fund, P. O. Box 456, Huntington, MA 01050. Checks may also be deposited in a drop box available at the Montgomery Library and at the Montgomery Grille.
“Let’s all pull together and help this family recover from their loss,” Pike said.
