Damariscotta Baptist Church

 

 

 

 

 

Prelude – “In the Garden”

Invocation & Welcome

Scripture Reading

Matthew 19:14

Time of Reflection

Hymn #202 “Amazing Grace”

Congregational Sing

Message – Pastor Marilee Harris

Hymn # 580 “Jesus Loves the Little Children”

Congregational Sing

Benediction

Postlude – “How Great Thou Art”

 

“One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.”

Matthew 19:14 

 

 

 

 

I first knew Betty as her substitute teacher when she had a 6 week medical leave early on in my career (we then went on to become kindergarten teacher colleagues with adjoining rooms).  That’s when I first learned of Betty’s tireless dedication as I executed the detailed plans she had left for me, cutting out giant alphabet letters for children to use, learning valuable lessons in hands on early childhood procedures.  I was reminded of Betty’s professionalism and dedication during a visit not long before her passing, where her memory bubbled up and she held forth on best teaching practices, a master class for any teacher ….how privileged I was to bear witness.  I can testify to the love she had for her students, all of them.  There was one particular student she held in her heart , among the legions of others residing there, as their special relationship really did make a difference, something I imagine many of her students could claim.  (And she loved her teaching time on Isle Au Haut!)

 

Humor.  Did we laugh!  “Winona” became our code word for “wild and crazy event”….don’t ask me how we came up with that.    We relished our next door neighbor status where we were able to keep the dividing wall partially open.  This became our portal for sharing the many colorful moments of our teaching days, sometimes convulsed in laughter, sometimes brainstorming solutions, sharing ideas, team teaching,  always loving our little ones.  Anyone who knew Betty knew her ability to thoughtfully assess and then come up with a wry and thoroughly unique, concise,  and brilliant comment or zinger.  You know the look, those  bright blue,  alert eyes, sometimes rolling,  the slight upturned mouth and perhaps some nodding.  

 

Artist.  Did you know she was an accomplished artist?  writer?  singer?  Scottie dog show-er? She took courses towards an art degree in retirement, although, honestly, she could probably have taught some of them….her watercolors and pen and ink drawings are stunning.   She was an accomplished writer as well. Discourses on her life, essays on “important stuff”.   Her handwriting itself is a work of art, long, bold, beautiful strokes running rhythmically across the page…you always knew who the note was from before opening it by her script!

 

 

Friend.  Betty had a rich world of friends from childhood, school days, church friends, professional friends.   At GSB school, four of us became the chemistry club, a code word meant to sound serious (we had good chemistry)  when we spoke of the monthly meetings we had, usually at Salt Bay Cafe, beginning in the nineties.  Our little group began as playground duty friendships and blossomed from there, Betty being the initial glue.   It became a time together of love, support, friendship, celebration, laughter.

 

At the center of her life were her husband Henry and son Christopher who meant the world to her.  

 

There is a hole in the fabric she wove and I miss her.  

 

 

 

 

It’s not a sad occasion, because she is at peace in a better place and this service is to celebrate her life and her memory.  I plan to laugh when I remember her wicked little smile after she made a joke.  Her subtle sense of humor was so understated that it sometimes took me by surprise.  She was a humble, intelligent and compassionate woman, and I know how grateful she was to be able to spend so much of her working life with the youngest kids.  I know they still remember her fondly because one of them is a nurse at Miles and she told me about her memories of kindergarten.  She watched over your mom with great affection. Even when she lived at Cove’s Edge her artist’s eye would find beauty everywhere: in the view outside the corner window of the dining room, in the colors of the new paint in the hall, and in the flowers in the courtyard.  She was always pleasant and sweet to be around and made her visitor feel glad for coming to see her.  I miss her and I thank you for sharing her.

Sincerely,