Obituary

Elizabeth L. Richardson

Mon, 01/31/2022 - 9:15am

Elizabeth “Betty” Lynnette Giles Richardson passed away peacefully on the evening of Jan. 29, 2022.

Betty was born on April 8,1927 at the family home at Giles Place in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Daughter of Benjamin M. and Nettie Rowe Giles, she was the 11th of 12 siblings. She graduated from Boothbay Harbor High School in 1945 and from Fisher Junior College in Massachusetts in 1947. As she was growing up Betty worked at the Lighthouse Restaurant and the Romar Bowling Alley. She spent her remaining work years as a Postal Clerk at both West Southport and Boothbay Harbor Post Offices, retiring in 1992.

She was active in her Boothbay Harbor community, sang in the choir and taught Sunday School at the Methodist Church. She was in minstrel shows and she really enjoyed dancing so attended many local dances. Betty and her husband Jim were married for 44 ½ years and raised their two daughters in West Bath, Maine. She served many years as PTA president at the West Bath School, volunteered at many school activities, was very active in the Methodist Church in Bath and was a leader of two girl scout troops for many years.

Betty had a large fun-loving family and enjoyed many reunions and monthly family parties (she held the role of secretary). She spent many hours with joy coordinating family activities with her siblings. She enjoyed numerous family camping trips and cross-country trips with her late husband James W. Richardson Jr. Part of her adventures in her retirement years included living at their winter home in Venice, Florida.

Betty was devoted to her family, she cherished her Boothbay Harbor roots, Maine heritage and never strayed far from the ocean. She enjoyed sharing how to eat lobsters thoroughly (the Maine way) with youngsters in the family or visitors. She had a quick wit, warm ready smile and always a wonderful family story to share. She will be greatly missed.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband, five brothers: Lermond, Robert, Drummond, Harold and Benjamin Jr.; and six sisters: Leta Connors, Iva Koerber, Lavinna Connors, Natalie “Peggy” Hathorne, Cleo “Audrey” Chase and Patricia Adams.

Survivors include her daughters: Patricia “Patty” Iva MacNeil and her husband Bill of Fort Myers, Florida, and Jami A. Richardson Kelly and her husband John of Biddeford, Maine; grandchildren: William “Michael” MacNeil Jr. and fiancée Kadian Crawford of Miami, Florida, Jami MacNeil of Richmond, Maine, Kristine Reed and her husband Andy of Westford, Massachusetts, Stefan Kelly and his wife Alisha of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Evan Kelly and his wife Katya of Hooksett, New Hampshire and Ciera Kelly of Tampa, Florida; great-grandchildren, Lydia, Hattie, Ada Reed of Westford, Massachusetts, and Rylan Kelly of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and many amazing nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services will be in held in late spring due to Covid. More information will be provided at a later date.

Arrangements are by Hall Funeral Home & Tribute Center, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay, ME 04537.

In lieu of flowers please send donations in her memory to: West Bath Fire Department, 192 State Road, West Bath, ME 04530, or Kennebec Girl Scouts, 138 Gannett Drive, South Portland, ME 04106.