Betty Lou O’Toole

Betty Lou O’Toole, 89, of Nashua, New Hampshire, died peacefully on June 18, 2026, while at Aynsley Place assisted living.

Betty was born April 27, 1937, in the small town of Ontonagon in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Edward and Irene Wolfe. She was a 1955 graduate of Ontonagon High School and subsequently attended secretarial school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was there she met her future husband, Austin G. O’Toole of Boston, MA, who was stationed at nearby Great Lakes Naval Training Center.

The couple settled in Nashua, NH when Austin accepted employment at Sanders Associates, Inc. This is where they raised their three children, Erin, Teresa “Terry” (LaPointe), and James. Although the marriage eventually ended in divorce, Betty and Austin remained friends until his death in 2015.

Betty was a stay-at-home mother until the children got older. She then re-entered the workforce, finally retiring as an administrative assistant at a local company. Later on, to stay busy, she worked part-time as a cashier at Hannaford, which she enjoyed very much.

Little did Betty realize that her choice of a family dog would lead to a life-long commitment to the Standard Schnauzer breed. An initial foray into obedience training for the family pet led to over 50 years of active membership in The Merrimack Valley Kennel Club where she was honored for her many years of service as Secretary. In addition, she was a member of the Massachusetts-based Minuteman Standard Schnauzer Club as well as the Standard Schnauzer Club of America. She was a fixture for many years at regional and national dog shows where she volunteered her time and expertise. Betty was known nationally among the Standard Schnauzer community for her extensive knowledge of the breed and was consulted by many breeders and novices for advice.

Betty had initially wanted to become a vet and was an avid horsewoman in her youth. She loved not only dogs but also embraced all animals. Known locally as an “animal person,” the neighborhood kids would bring orphaned baby birds and squirrels and abandoned cats to her for care.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her former husband, and her daughter Terry LaPointe. She is survived by her sister, Janet Wolfe of Ontonagon, MI, daughter, Erin O’Toole of Concord, NH, son Jim O’Toole and his wife Lyn (Deware) of Derry, NH, grandson Ryan O’Toole of Derry, NH, grandson Austin J. O’Toole and daughter-in-law Lydia (Birch) O’Toole of Dover, NH, and great-granddaughter Sloane O’Toole. Much appreciation goes to her life-long friend Marcia Poulin of Hollis, NH and many others in the doggie community.

At Betty’s request, there will be no services. Her cremains will be laid to rest in the Riverside Cemetery in Ontonagon, MI alongside her parents and other Wolfe family members.