FORT FAIRFIELD – Betty N. Hartley, 86, wife of the late Harold W. Hartley, passed away Friday evening, Oct. 4, 2013, at a Caribou health care facility. She was born March 24, 1927, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of Isaac and Emma Jane (Therriault) Nichols.
She was a graduate of the Fort Fairfield High School, class of 1944, attended Gordon College, Boston, and was married to Harold W. Hartley on April 30, 1949. Betty had been a member of Fort Fairfield Bethel Baptist Church and was employed at the First National Grocery Store, Fort Fairfield, for a number of years and also owned and operated Hartley’s Dairy Bar, Fort Fairfield. Mrs. Hartley was raised by her aunt and uncle Rhoda and Benjamin Ames of Fort Fairfield and throughout her life enjoyed painting, gardening, interior decorating and was an outspoken advocate for animal rights, establishing the Fort Fairfield Humane Society in the 1970’s, placing many animals in loving homes.
She was predeceased by her parents, Isaac Nichols and Emma Jane (Therriault) Nichols Grew; her aunt and uncle, Rhoda and Benjamin Ames; her husband, Harold W. Hartley; and former husband, Otis Barnes. She is survived by one son, Paul Hartley of Fort Fairfield; two daughters, Susan E. Hartley of Fort Fairfield, and Sherry Hudson and her husband, Kevin, of Brisbane, Australia; two brothers, Milton Grew and his wife, Mina, of Rexton, New Brunswick, and Robert Grew and his wife, Virginia, of Nazareth, Pa.; six grandchildren and spouses, Angela and Jon St. Pierre of Fort Fairfield, Karen and Ryan Hayes of Easton, Jordan LaFaver of Presque Isle, Angel Barnes of Gainesville, Ga., Melissa Barnes of Atlanta, and Jessica Barnes of Fort Fairfield; four great-grandchildren, Hunter, Delaney, Cole, and Alexis; and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind special people in her life, Kevin Campbell of Presque Isle, Penny Miller of Newcastle, Colo., and Neil Barnes of Presque Isle; and her beloved cat, Bela.
Friends may call 11:30 a.m.-noon Thursday, Oct. 10, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield. A graveside service will be conducted 1 p.m. Thursday, at Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield, with the Rev. Otto Palmer officiating. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Mrs. Hartley to the Central Aroostook Humane Society, 26 Cross St., Presque Isle, ME 04769. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com.
Betty N. Hartley
