Elizabeth Ann Carapellese

Betty Carapellese, 81, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2014 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. She was born on August 22, 1932 in Pittsfield, Mass. to Andrew and Mary Perkins. She married the late Raymond Discoe in 1952, and soon after they moved to California. She eventually settled in Palm Desert, Calif. in 1973. Betty held several positions in the private sector, and owned her own business. She then had a long and rewarding career in public service. She worked as a field representative for Assemblywoman Trisha Hunter and then went to work for Senator Dave Kelly. She retired in 2002, but kept busy with various charitable endeavors. She served on the Library Committee and the Friends of the Coachella Valley Animal Campus. She volunteered at the animal shelter, and enjoyed reading to children at the local library. In recognition of her tireless charitable work, Betty was awarded Palm Desert's Senior Inspiration Award in 2006. She also loved to garden and was an avid reader. Betty was the loving and wonderful mother of three children, Cheryl Spiteri (Michael), Michael Discoe (Debbie), and Steven Discoe. She was the proud grandmother of three grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Carolyn Garrity. She is predeceased by her husband, Dominic Carapellese; her parents, Andrew and Mary Perkins; and her brother, Robert Perkins. Following a Funeral Mass on June 21 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Pittsfield, Betty will be laid to rest next to her parents in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Pittsfield. Because she was a life-long animal lover, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Coachella Valley Animal Shelter. Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries.