Betty Rancourt

WATERVILLE/WINSLOW – Betty Jane (Belanger) Rancourt, 78, passed away Oct. 8, 2024, peacefully with family and friends by her side at Maine General Rehabilitation and Long-Term Comfort Care Unit at Glenridge in Augusta from complications due to cancer. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Sady and Nicole Rancourt of Westbrook, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, nephews and very close friends.

She is predeceased by her husband Robert Rancourt, her brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Jeanette Belanger, her sister and brother-in-law, Jeannine and Edwin Jandreau, and brother James Belanger.

Betty was born in Waterville, on March 3, 1946, to her late, loving parents Jerome and Mary Jane (Compagnon) Belanger. Betty graduated from Mount Merici High School. She then attended and graduated from Annhurst College in Connecticut with a four-year degree in Sociology and minor in Psychology.

After graduating college, Betty went on to work with the Peace Corp in Senegal, Africa. While continuing to work for the Peace Corp, she returned to Washington, D.C., in 1970 where she gave birth to her only child and son, Sady. Betty made the decision to return home to Waterville in 1970 to raise her son among family and friends. Betty went onto work in a local nursing home. She took a position at Seton and Thayer Hospital in the Respiratory Therapy Department from 1973-1979. During this time, Betty married the love of her life, Bob Rancourt, on July 26, 1975. In 1979, Betty made the decision to do daycare in their home. Caring for and loving children was definitely her favorite job and her life calling. She did this for 18 years and took care of over 60 children, all who she grew to love. Long after Betty finished daycare, many of these parents and children played a lifelong role in her life, involving her in their activities and sports as well as milestone celebrations. At age 50, Betty returned to school to study Accounting and Business. This led to a new career path working at HealthReach/Maine General in the Benefits Department making another family to love. She retired in 2014.

Betty was a member of the Notre Dame Church community her entire life. From the 1976-1996, Betty was a member of the Lady’s Guild, Finance Committee and volunteered with Catholic Charities Appeal, Soup Kitchen, Homeless Shelter and Youth Ministry Group.

Betty loved celebrating people and bringing joy to their lives. She was famous for celebrating everything that could be celebrated. The Christmas holiday season was her absolute favorite. She made sure everyone in her life had gifts. Betty valued every relationship she had in her entire life. She was especially passionate about her wonderful relationship with her son and daughter-in-law, Sady and Nicole. A big part of her life was spent making sure they had a great life. Betty enjoyed family gatherings with the Belangers, Jandreaus and Gliddens. She also continued to interact with many of her friends from childhood, school, college and her time spent working at the hospital. Betty also enjoyed caring for her friends in retirement. Betty was also like a second mother to many of Sady’s friends which cherished and brought her much joy.

Betty was famous for her incredible snowman collection, most of which were gifts from family and friends. For the last 20 years, Betty could be seen cruising through the greater Waterville area in her yellow VW Beetle named Joy. Betty loved to spend time at York Beach with friends. Betty enjoyed following football, basketball, hockey and golf. Her greatest passion for the last 15 years was playing Pickleball three times a week, one year attending the Senior Olympics. She loved the sport and comradery of her Pickleball group.

Sady and Nicole would like to thank all of the family and friends who were there for Betty during her lifetime, especially those who helped us in her cancer journey. We would also like to thank Dr. Lopes and his staff and Dr. Hathaway and the nurses and staff at the Alfond’s Cancer Center for their wonderful and compassionate care.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, December 14, at Notre Dame Church in Waterville at 11 a.m., with a ‘Celebration of Life and Joy’ to be held afterward in the Notre Dame Parish Hall. The burial will be announced at the service.

If you would like to honor Betty, you may wear something with snowmen, joy or something yellow.

Please visit Betty’s memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/betty-rancourt where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.