SCARBOROUGH – Elizabeth “Betty” (Hayes) Carpenter of Scarborough (formerly of 19 Hayes Landing Rd., Augusta) passed away peacefully on Friday, May 26, 2023. She was 96 years old.

Betty was born on Feb. 24, 1927 in New London, Conn. to David Brown Hayes, originally of Caribou, and Marguerite Perkins Hayes. David Hayes, a veteran of World War I, was then serving as a chief petty officer in the United States Navy; he left the service to raise his four small children when Marguerite abandoned the family. Throughout her life, Betty remained close to her father, whom she credited with instilling in her a love of learning and his own bedrock values of moral integrity and patriotism.

David Hayes was recalled to active duty during World War II. He was stationed in North Africa when Betty began training as a registered nurse at Deaconess Hospital in Boston, Mass. Her roommate at Deaconess, Jean Carpenter, introduced Betty to her brother, Charles L. “Chuck” Carpenter, a graduate of the University of Maine in mechanical engineering. Betty and Chuck married in 1949; their marriage lasted until Chuck’s death in 2008.

In 1952 Betty interrupted her nursing career to devote herself fulltime to her three children; she returned to nursing when they reached high school. Betty endowed her children with her own love of books, art, music, and nature. She stressed the importance of academic achievement and, as an active member of the League of Women Voters, demonstrated the principles of responsible citizenship.

Chuck’s career took the family to California, Michigan, Wisconsin, and New Jersey. On his retirement in 1983, he and Betty returned to his home state of Maine, where they enlarged and settled into the family’s cottage on Worromontogus Pond in Augusta. Betty designed and planted an extensive garden in the wooded lakeside setting. She frequently surprised family and friends with beautiful arrangements of flowers from her cutting garden. During the summer, Betty was often in the garden by 5:30 a.m., but she always found time each day to work the New York Times crossword puzzle and root for the Red Sox. In the winter, she took courses in watercolor painting and poetry. Betty and Chuck traveled extensively in Europe and the U. K. in retirement, timing some of their trips to coincide with the Chelsea Flower Show in London.

Betty cultivated lasting friendships wherever she happened to land during Chuck’s career. Her circle of friends widened considerably during the 40 years she lived in Maine. She was kind and generous to her neighbors on Togus Pond and delighted in their children and grandchildren. Betty connected with kindred spirits in the Augusta Nature Club, serving as its President from 1997 to 1999, and vastly expanded her horticultural knowledge and social ties as a member of the Kennebec Valley Garden Club, which she served as a board-member and president (1994-96). She was a life member of the National Garden Club as well as the Garden Club Federation of Maine, for which she served on the Landscape Design Council-infelicitous. From 1984 to 1992, she applied her nursing skills and compassionate nature to her work as a hospice volunteer.

Betty is survived by her three children and their spouses, Elizabeth Carpenter Burlew (Brad) of Spring Creek, Nev., Joan Carpenter Troccoli (Robert) of Scarborough, and Charles D. Carpenter (Janet) of Naples, Fla.; a beloved niece, Gayle Chronister; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren also survive her.

All who knew Betty Carpenter treasured her quick wit and mischievous sense of humor, which she maintained until the end. We are sad to have her leave us, but we remain inspired by her long life of devotion to her family and friends and service to her community.

Betty’s children thank the team at Holbrook at Piper Shores in Scarborough for their loving care of our mother during her final years of life. We will be forever grateful for their kindness, professionalism, and generosity toward our mother.

Memorial services will be private.

Betty suggested that those wishing to make donations in her memory

give in her name to their favorite charity.

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