Bethel “Betty” Pond, of Branford, 87, died on Oct. 28 at her home in Branford.  She was the wife of the late Henry Alton Pond. Mrs. Pond was born on June 19, 1925 in Atchison, Kansas, where she met Henry Alton Pond when he was stationed there with the U.S. Army Air Corps.  They were married in 1944 and resided at air bases in St. Joseph, Missouri, Brownsville, Texas, and Greenwood, Mississippi.  In those cities, Mrs. Pond was employed as a telephone operator for South Western Bell, often working double shifts during the war years and sometimes helping worried parents locate their sons serving at area air bases. 

In 1947, the couple settled in Branford, where Mr. Pond had been born and raised.  Mrs. Pond, who had been baptized at age 16 in Atchison, Kansas, joined the First Baptist Church of Branford in 1949.  She was an active participant in church activities, including faithful membership in the American Baptist Women’s Ministries and the Tuesday morning craft group. 

She is survived by two sons, Henry W. Pond II and his wife Leslie of Branford, and Michael D. Pond and his wife Kathy of Texas; four grandchildren, Amy Stadia and her husband Nate of Hamden, Skip Pond of Branford, and Michelle and Daniel Pond of Texas; and two great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service on Friday, Nov. 2, at 11 a.m., at the First Baptist Church of Branford.  Burial will follow in Center Cemetery, Branford.  There are no calling hours.  The W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, Branford, is in charge of arrangements.  See obit @ www.wsclancy.com.