WEST BATH –Betty Fitzjarrald, 87, died at home January. 6, 2022.

Born Elizabeth (“Betty”) Duncan in Medford, MA, 1934, to Walter Duncan and Lydia Hutchinson. She grew up among a large greater-Boston

 family. Betty graduated from Johnson High School, North Andover, MA, with honors.

She studied biology and chemistry at Simmons College while working at Boston and Harvard Medical School bacteriology labs.

After graduation in 1957, Betty worked in Jamaica as part of a Harvard-British team researching infectious diseases.

Per family lore, whilst skiing in NH, Betty aided an Idaho “hotdog” that had crashed, and hooked the tip of his ski in his ear, bloodying the slope. Betty promptly packed snow in Launy Fitzjarrald’s ear and saved him. That fateful meeting evolved into a nearly 60-year marriage.

Post marriage, Betty moved coast-to-coast as Launy tested Cold-war radar sites in isolated areas and often rustic living conditions. They enjoyed their child-free years camping, kayaking, skiing, and exploring the US and Canada.

While living in Freeport, ME their daughter, Andrea, was born. Always on the move, the young family left for Seattle before returning to Maine and putting down roots in Brunswick in 1969. Her son, Lance, was born soon after.

Betty was an ardent advocate of women’s reproductive rights, vigorous promoter of the Equal Rights Amendment, and enthusiastic supporter of higher education.

She was a 50-year mem

ber of the Bath-Brunswick branch of the American Association of University Women and represented local women both regionally and nationally.

With AAUW, Betty chaired a volunteer-effort to restore the, 1849, Growstown School in Brunswick. Starting in 1983, local 5th-graders have been invited to re-enact Victorian-era school, complete with costumes, antique desks, chalkboards, lamps and wood-stove heat.

She volunteered at the Mid-Coast Hospital Auxiliary. To her family’s delight, Betty conscripted them to “test” desserts she baked for a hospital-fundraising cookbook she helped to author and title. “Merrymeeting Merry Eating” (1st ed. 1988) is cherished by her children and grandchildren.

Betty volunteered at Coffin School presenting science programs, at Girl Scouts, and later served on the Brunswick Planning Board of Appeals.

She loved taking her children to Popham Beach, sailing, skiing, skating, camping, and summer roadtrips to the Rockies.

After her children left for college, Betty and Launy built their dream home in West Bath, ME. When not traveling she enjoyed shows at the Maine Music Theater, and local bridge, book, knitting, and dining clubs and groups.

Betty was predeceased by her husband Launy.

Betty’s children, Andrea (Jim) Klaas, OR, Lance (Kimberly ) Fitzjarrald, WA, and four grandsons will miss her dearly. Her goddaughter, Linda Campanella, CT, was always in her thoughts. Betty shared many laughs with her-sister, Janet (Allan) Virr, NH, nephew, David (Jackie) Virr, MA, niece, Bonnie (Chad) Mitchell, NH, and relished being Great Aunty Betty to their children. Last but not least, she is survived by her beautiful trees and ravenous deer, fox, raccoon, squirrel, and feathered friends. They will miss her care and home cooking.

Always young at heart, her wish was to be able go outside and roll in the snow. It snowed the next day.

Please donate to the Friends of the Patten Free Library, in memory of Elizabeth Fitzjarrald, 33 Summer Street, Bath, ME 04530. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brackettfh.com

 

 

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