Bette Evans of Spruce Point died April 13, 2014. Born the fourth of five children to a blended family in Sibley, Iowa, Bette traveled to Long Beach, Calif., after graduating from high school for a vacation and decided to make it her new home. She quickly went about finding work and enrolled in college.

Because of her optimistic attitude, Bette enjoyed a large group of friends and an active social life, not just as a young woman, but throughout her life. She met her future husband, Bill, on a blind date and married in 1947. Bill would brag about what a good cook she was.

Due to Bill's job, the family moved often to facilitate professional advancement. Twice his career caused his long absence due to far away wars. Bette endured these hardships and even flourished in the life of a military wife. She took primary responsibility for raising their family, keeping the home fires burning while always contributing to their community.

She gave birth to her first born children, twins, while Bill was serving in the Korean War, then traveled across the Pacific Ocean with her two infants on a military supply ship to join her husband in Japan. She did this without a second thought, “That's just what we (military wives) did back then.”

As the family grew (four children total), Bette enthusiastically kept the family involved in adventures, including, but not limited to week-long family camping trips, first along the California and Mexican Pacific coast, then later along the East coast. The coast of Maine became the family’s favorite vacation site. It was there that they established their vacation home base, settling in Boothbay Harbor. This, Bette would say, “is where my heart is."

Together, Bette followed Bill with the family around the world; throughout the United States and overseas, from Asia to North Africa and throughout Europe.  

After the kids were grown, Bette and Bill continued to travel the world, meeting leaders of nations near and far, having an audience with the Pope, dining with presidents, vacationing in warm climates. Bette often mused, “Who would have guessed this kid from Iowa would have the experiences I've had.”

Despite having experienced what might be called a privileged life in her later years, Bette maintained her middle American values of hard work, honesty, a strong sense of right and wrong, and most importantly, family. She was ever vigilant to lend a helping hand, a kind, encouraging word and smile, cook an excellent meal to lift spirits, speak out with constructive criticism, and especially provide a gentle yet firm grip on family togetherness.

Bill, Bette's best friend, lover, soul mate, "the love of my life," died in 2000. After this loss, Bette surrounded herself with those she loved and cared about most. She never stopped enjoying her friends and family always looking for new adventures.

She maintained her humility, avoided the spotlight and was grateful for a good witty story with a hint of naughtiness.

She was the “hostess-with-mostest,” a good woman, full of joy, who instilled in her family a strong sense of community, an adventurous spirit and a generous heart.

Her laughter, which was of the throw-your-head-back-and-slap-your-knee variety, revealed her broad sense of humor and optimistic attitude. She was genuine and compassionate, the matriarch of the family. She was everyone’s biggest cheerleader, but never one to hold back her opinion. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, an amazing grandmother, a wonderful great-grandmother, and a fabulous friend. She will always be remembered.