Obituaries

Newport-Elizabeth “Betty” J. (Merrithew) Randall, 84, passed peacefully into eternal rest on Monday, January 30, 2012, at the Sebasticook Valley Hospital after a brief illness, with her niece, Sharon, by her side.

Betty, as she was lovingly called by friends and family, was born in Pittsfield, Maine, on May 1, 1927. She was the youngest child of Levi and Edith (Estey) Merrithew. She resided in Pittsfield most of her life having also lived in Dexter and most recently in Newport.

She was a graduate of Maine Central Institute and married Earle Randall on August 29, 1959. Although they had no children of their own, “Aunt Betty and Uncle Earle” were dearly loved by many nieces and nephews who spent countless hours with them.

She worked for many years in various shoe shops in Skowhegan, Bangor, Dexter and Pittsfield, hand sewing shoes. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pittsfield.
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Betty and Earle, along with their friends, spent days upon end fishing, hunting and camping in the north woods of Maine, often traveling up to the Allagash. In recent years, they spent summers on Piper Pond, camping near their good friend, Leona Davis. Betty loved the peace and quiet of the woods and enjoyed cooking over the campfire and playing cards late into the night. She will be remembered as hard-working, fun and adventurous, ready to pack up and head up north to make new memories with old friends.

She is survived by her husband, Earle Randall of Newport; many loving nieces and nephews; and great nieces and great nephews, including her loving niece, Diane Talotta from Twin Mountain, NH, who has been caring for Betty over the past few months.

She was predeceased by all of her siblings; Helen Webber, Kathleen Harrington Grant, Margery Withee, Hazel Merrithew, Verna Hanson, Clifford Merrithew, who was killed during WWII, Leonard “Red” Merrithew, Stella Chadbourne, Mildred Bragg Monihan and Robert “Eff” Merrithew.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, February 2, 2012, at the Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, 191 Hartland Avenue, in Pittsfield. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, February 3, at the First Baptist Church, 245 Main Street, in Pittsfield, with Pastor Bill Johnson officiating. A time of gathering will follow in the fellowship hall. A committal service will be held in the spring at the Village Cemetery, Peltoma Avenue, Pittsfield.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 245 Main Street, Pittsfield, Maine, 04967, in her memory.

To leave a message of kindness for the family, please visit www.shoreynichols.com

Care has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, Pittsfield.