ORONO – Elizabeth (Briggs) Hamilton, 77, died peacefully Dec. 6, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. Betty was born March 28, 1933, in Caribou, to Parkin and Charlene Briggs. She attended Caribou schools, graduating from Caribou High School in 1950, and attended Wellesley College, graduating with a degree in Latin American relations in 1954. Her life changed later that year when she met a young naval air cadet named Samuel Hamilton; they wed on a wintry day, Jan. 30, 1955, in Caribou. Together they became the owners and operators of Briggs Hardware and later, Crafts Elan. Known for her compassion and her strong engagement in all that she did, she was a beloved wife and mother, parochial school teacher and child protective worker and caseworker supervisor at the Maine Department of Human Services. After serving as Caribou’s first woman city councilor, Betty became the first woman mayor in Maine in 1977. She also served as a member of Cary Medical Center Board of Trustees, and member and chairwoman of Maine Health Systems Agency Board of Trustees. Some of her fondest memories include ski trips in Maine and Quebec, teaching young students at Holy Rosary Catholic School, singing in the choir at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, dancing in the Saturday Nighters and the many wonderful meals around the dining room table with family and friends in Caribou and Orono. A bright and creative woman, her shining strengths were only somewhat diminished by Alzheimer’s that began to affect her in 1998. Through it all, with her husband at her side, she loved, laughed and lived. She will be missed and certainly not forgotten. She is survived by her husband, Samuel W. Hamilton III of Orono; her three children, Samuel W. Hamilton IV and his wife, Priscilla, of Manchester, N.H., P. Andrew Hamilton and his wife, Patty, of Bangor, and Elizabeth Anne Robinson and her husband, Kenneth, of Holliston, Mass.; a sister, Jane Carrie Rankin and her husband, Donald, of East Greenwich, R.I.; seven grandchildren, Kierstead, John Andrew, Keaghan, Katy, Alex, Riley and Reese; and three great-grandchildren, Anna, Caleb and Sadie. The family thanks the many friends, including Paul Pangburn, who helped support Betty; and especially the many caring and skilled healthcare providers at Westgate Manor and My Friend’s Place, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor. A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 225 French St., Bangor, with the Rev. Marguerite A.H. Steadman, rector, officiating. Those who wish to honor Betty’s memory may make gifts to Alzheimer’s Association, 170 U.S. Route One, Suite 50, Falmouth, ME 04105 or online at www.alz.org/maine/. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
BETTY HAMILTON
