It is with deep sadness we share that Elizabeth “Betty” Reed Mounts lost her courageous battle with cancer on June 22, 2026. Betty was born on September 11, 1936 to Raymond L. Reed and Josephine Ramer Reed in Cass County, Indiana. She grew up on a farm but always longed to see the wider world. After high school she attended Stephens College for two years and then headed to Purdue University for the final two years of her education, graduating with a BA in Home Economics Education. While at Purdue, she met the love of her life, Gordon Mounts, on a blind date. They knew each other from being members of Purdue Christian Foundation. Three months later, after going to see the movie South Pacific, he proposed. “Some Enchanted Evening” was their song for the rest of their 67 years of married life. They moved many times throughout their life, including West Virginia, Louisiana, Texas, Brazil and New Jersey, until making their home for the last 45 years in Newtown. She and her husband also spent twenty happy winter seasons as snowbirds in Naples, Florida. Betty was an awesome mom, raising their three children Joy, Julie and Amy, as well as working as a teacher and nutrition educator. For 15 years, she worked for the Housatonic Valley Elderly Nutrition Coalition as a nutrition educator, giving talks to senior centers all over the area, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Throughout her life, Betty was a loyal friend, a woman of deep faith who served in all the churches they belonged to in many roles, an amazing green thumb, a keen “Jeopardy!” fan, a competitive duplicate bridge player, an enthusiastic solver of crossword puzzles and a lover of books, especially good mysteries. They traveled wherever they lived, but during their retirement years they travelled the world, in all visiting over 50 countries. She never heard of a trip she was not interested in. She was always excited by a new Rand McNally map book, considering it an excellent gift. You wanted her on your Trivial Pursuit team where her knowledge of geography was legendary. She loved seeing her daughters find their paths in life and was a huge support to them. After her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, she took over his care in a way that moved those who saw her in action. Her seven grandchildren were the delight of her heart! She loved hearing about their adventures and texting them in full sentences.

Betty is survived by her husband, Gordon Mounts; her daughters Joy Mounts, Julie Alexander (Dave), Amy Mounts (Darren Snyder); her grandchildren, Sarah Alexander (Harun Sugito), Jason Alexander (Rachel), Elizabeth Doherty (Jay), Rachel Wrenn (Nash), Jacob, Kevin and Sam Snyder-Mounts; her three brothers Steve (Joyce), Jim (Joni) and Joe Reed; sister-in-law Donna Sullivan (Ralph); brother-in-law Harry Mathers; cousins, many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. She will be deeply missed.

A Celebration of Betty’s life will be held on July 18 at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street in Newtown. Visitation with the family at 10 am, the service at 11 am and reception to follow at the church. A private burial will take place on July 2 at Newtown Village Cemetery.