BREWER – Bettie A. Lawrence, 77, passed away peacefully May 27, 2011, with her devoted husband, Robert “Bob,” by her side at her home. Bettie was born March 17, 1934, in Deerfield, Va., the only child of Charles R. and Margaret (Riddle) Armstrong.
Bettie had many fond memories of growing up on the family farm in Virginia. She was a graduate of Hagerstown Medical Secretarial School, Maryland. Immediately after graduation she was hired by a radiologist in Washington, D.C., for whom she worked for five years. Bob and Bettie met in 1952, in Harrisburg, Pa., and were married June 21, 1959, in Staunton, Va. After marriage they lived in Providence, R.I., where she was employed by a pathologist, followed by living briefly in Quincy, Mass. Bob and Bettie moved to Bangor in 1962 and then in 1966 to Brewer, where she raised her family. Bettie was a member of Hammond Street Congregational Church, Bangor, and volunteered in their food cupboard. She was also a volunteer at Ronald McDonald House, Bangor, for several years. Bettie enjoyed working on her flower gardens, cooking, reading, watching Jeopardy! and playing Chinese checkers with her children. Bettie and Bob enjoyed attending cultural events across the state. Traveling to Europe several times was a highlight.
Bettie is survived by her husband of 52 years, Robert Lawrence of Brewer; two sons, Stephen Lawrence of Hollis Center and Kenneth Lawrence of Bangor; one daughter, Amy, and her husband, Stephen Greene, of South Boston, Mass.; and two very close aunts, Dorothy Gwin of Smyrna, Del., and Ruth Schibley of Amherst, Ohio. She was predeceased by her parents.
In accordance with her wishes, there will be no funeral service. Those who wish to remember Bettie in a special way may make contributions to Hammond Street Congregational Church, 28 High St., Bangor, ME 04401 or Brewer Public Library, 100 South Main St., Brewer, ME 04412. Arrangements by Memorial Alternatives, 205 Center St., Bangor.