BAR HARBOR – Elizabeth “Betty” Sweetser Baxter, wife of Elmer L. Baxter, died April 27, 2010, at her apartment above Frenchman Bay, where she could see the ocean from her living room and bedroom windows. Betty was born June 2, 1920, in Orono, daughter of Herman P. Sweetser and Phyllis S. Sweetser. She grew up in Cumberland Center, where she worked in the family apple orchard and was valedictorian of her class at Greely Institute. She went on to attend Colby College, where she met her husband, Elmer Baxter, and graduated in 1941. Betty and Elmer were married in 1944 while he was stationed in Gainesville, Fla. After the war they moved to Newington, Conn., where they raised three sons, and lived for 60 years. In addition to raising her boys, Betty enjoyed family gatherings, where she loved to prepare fresh produce from Elmer’s garden. She devoted much time volunteering for First Church of Christ Congregational, Newington, Conn., where she served as lay moderator and taught Sunday school. She was also active in PTA, Cub Scouts and town activities, including many years of service on the parks and recreation committee. She served as Newington (Conn.) town historian, writing the centennial history of Newington in 1971. She was proudest of her success at persuading “the powers that be” to move, save and restore the historic “Kelsey House,” which is now an important museum and resource for the community. For many years, she wrote a weekly column for the Newington Town Crier. Betty and Elmer left Newington, Conn., and moved to Dirigo Pines, Orono, in 2005, and relocated to the Birch Bay Inn, Bar Harbor, in 2008. Betty was predeceased by her parents; and a brother, Phillip Sweetser. In addition to her husband, Betty is survived by a brother, Richard W. Sweetser and his wife, Constance Sweetser, of Cumberland Center; three sons, Ledyard S. Baxter and his wife, Nancy S. Baxter, of Aquebogue, N.Y., David S. Baxter and his wife, Katherine K. Carter, of Orono and Benjamin A. Baxter and his wife, Joan Loy-Baxter, of Bar Harbor; four grandchildren, Joshua Baxter, Jonathan Baxter, Kyla Baxter and Alexis Baxter; one great-grandchild, Laurel Baxter; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at Cumberland Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the memorial fund of First Church of Christ Congregational, 1075 Main St., Newington, CT 06111.
ELIZABETH ‘BETTY’ SWEETSER BAXTER
