Hamilton, Elizabeth, 77, of Orono, on December 6, 2010. Family and friends may call from 6-8 p.m., December 9, at Brookings-Smith, Bangor. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., December 10 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Bangor.
ORONO – Elizabeth (Briggs) Hamilton, 77, died peacefully on December 6, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. Betty was born on March 28, 1933, in Caribou, Maine, to Parkin and Charlene Briggs. She attended Caribou schools, graduating from Caribou High 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 on January 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 the Caribou’s first woman City Councilor, Betty became the first woman mayor in Maine in 1977. She also served as a member of the Cary Medical Center Board of Trustees and as member and Chairwoman of the Maine Health Systems Agency Board of Trustees. Some of her fondest memories include ski trips in Maine and Quebec, teaching young students at the 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 Alzheimers that began to affect her in 1998. Through it all, with her husband at her side, she loved and laughed and lived. She will be missed and certainly not forgotten.
She is survived by her husband, Samuel W. Hamilton, III of Orono, and her three children, Samuel W. Hamilton IV and his wife, Priscilla of Manchester, NH; P. Andrew Hamilton and his wife, Patty of Bangor; and Elizabeth Anne Robinson and her husband, Kenneth of Holliston, Massachusetts; a sister, Jane Carrie Rankin and her husband, Donald of East Greenwich, RI; seven grandchildren: Kierstead, John Andrew, Keaghan, Katy, Alex, Riley and Reese; and three great grandchildren: Anna, Caleb and Sadie.
The family wishes to thank 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 in Bangor.
Family and friends may call from 6-8 pm, Thursday, Dec. 9, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Friday, December 10, 2010, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 225 French Street, Bangor, with the Rev. Marguerite A.H. Steadman, rector, officiating. Those who wish to honor Betty’s memory, may make gifts to the Alzheimer’s Association, 170 U.S. Route One, Suite 50 Falmouth, ME 04105 or www.alz.org/maine/. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
