Elizabeth (Betty) Joan Gamel was born in Boston, where as a girl she went to Red Sox games with her sister, Ann, and dreamed of being a sportswriter. As an adult she lived in both the Houston and Raleigh areas. With her husband, Raymond C Gamel, she was an active member of the Sugarland, TX community before they relocated to Pinehurst, NC in the early nineties.

Betty was passionate about croquet and played in many USCA tournaments. She enjoyed competition, whether on the green or at the game table, and she loved to win. Betty was also a gracious hostess and a fantastic cook. For much of her life she was an avid sewer. She was always a good friend.

Betty savored the quiet of Holden Beach early in the morning.

She was preceded in death by Raymond. She is survived by his four children. She also survived by her sister, Ann Killion, her brother, Joseph Tamburino, her daughter, Debra Gamel Vinci, her son-in-law, John Vinci; her granddaughters, Erin Debnam and Carey Lang, and their husbands; her great-granddaughters, Maya Fanjul-Debnam and Adelaide Zuiderhof; and two nieces and two nephews.

Betty volunteered at Habitat for Humanity of the Sandhills for many years. Please consider contributions to them at 2268 NC 5 Highway, Aberdeen, NC 28315 or to The Foundation of First Health (hospice), 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.

An open house in honor of her life will be held January 29, 2-4 pm at 7 Buckingham Place in Pinehurst.