Portland, ME – Elizabeth M. “Betty” Cole, 97, of Portland and formerly of Huntington, MA, passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at The Cedars. She was the beloved wife of the late Arthur M. Cole, who died in September 1997.
Betty was born in Jamaica, NY on April 15, 1919 a daughter of the late Willard B. & Josephine (Russell) Thompson. At age twelve, she moved to Huntington, MA, where she would spend the majority of her life before moving to Portland, ME in 2009 to be closer to her family. She graduated from Huntington High School as a member of the class of 1936. A year after graduating, she married the love of her life, Arthur M. Cole and started their family a year later. Betty was very active in her community and could often be found at Moltenbrey’s Market where she worked for over fifty years. She also volunteered at the Gateway Regional Middle School for twenty five years and was very active with the Norwich Hill Church. She enjoyed playing cribbage and crocheting and recently painting, with water colors. However, her favorite activity was spending time with her family.
She is survived by her daughter Barbara Cole Holt and her husband John of Portland, ME, her granddaughter Bethany Buitenhuys and her husband Neil of Portland and her two great granddaughters Emma & Merritt Ryan. She also leaves several nieces and nephews and was the grandmother of the late John “Jay” Holt, who passed away in 2001.
A private burial will be held in Norwich Bridge Cemetery, Huntington, MA at the family’s convenience.
Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Betty’s guestbook and leave memories and condolences for the family.
In lieu of flowers, donation in her memory can be made to: Gosnell Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, ME 04074
