Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

TENANTS HARBOR - Elizabeth J. Bilodeau, 82, affectionately known as ‘Betty Boop’ to many of her friends and family, died Saturday, January 16, 2016, at the Sussman House in Rockport, after a period of declining health.
Born in Grasmere (Goffstown) NH, August 10, 1933, she was the daughter of Paul E. Sr. and M. Alline Weeks Anderson.
She was a 1951 graduate of West High School in Manchester NH, and earned a BS in Education at Plymouth State College in 1955. In 1981, she earned a Masters in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire. Betty later attended the Appalachian Local Pastors School, affiliated with Red Bird Missionary Conference at Beverly, KY.
Betty began her career as an educator in New Boston, NH. She later taught in Sanborn Regional School and Exeter Junior High School, where she also coached softball. Next, she served as Assistant Principal at Epping Junior High and later served as Principal at Epping Elementary. At both Nottingham Elementary and Fremont Elementary schools, Betty taught music. She also coached high school basketball and softball in Epping.
Following her aspiration of doing missionary work, Betty travelled to the Red Bird Mission in Beverly, KY, spending three years, first assisting in the clinic and later providing counseling services.
After following a Divine Calling and completing pastoral training, Betty served as Pastor at Friendship (Maine) United Methodist Church and Broad Cove Church in Cushing from 2002-2006. She briefly served the East Rochester (NH) United Methodist Church but returned to Broad Cove Church and served there until her retirement in 2015.
Her love of people and music was evident as she served as Organist / Choir Director at Epping (NH) Community Church, Exeter (NH) Baptist Church, Raymond (NH) United Methodist Church, Peoples United Methodist Church in Bradford (MA) and as Musical Director at Camp Hedding in Epping, NH.
Her artistic abilities were made evident in her association with the Epping Community Church Players, where she played “Golda” in their presentation of ‘Fiddler on The Roof’, as “Bloody Mary” in ‘South Pacific’ and as ‘Mrs. Paroo’ in “Music Man”. She was a longtime member of the New Hampshire Friendship Chorus and performed in South America, South Africa, Russia, Greece and Turkey. Betty was an active member of the Manchester (NH) Choral Society. More recently she enjoyed playing bells with the Midcoast Community Band. She served as keyboardist for several Georges Valley High School musicals, and was a member of the GQ + Gospel Ensemble.
She was a devoted Boston Red Sox fan and loved the Patriots as well. Gardening was a peaceful pastime Betty enjoyed, and she had an extensive collection of ‘Betty Boop’ memorabilia.
Other than her parents, Betty was pre-deceased by six siblings, Murray, Robert, Dorothy, Doris, Janice and Paul. She is survived by her children, Devon Rains and partner Arthur Gauthier of Epping, NH, Kay Bilodeau and wife Terry Neill of Manchester, NH, Jeannie Sciarappa and her husband Anthony of Haverhill, MA, Karl Bilodeau and wife Kimberly of Exeter, NH, Joseph Bilodeau and wife Laura of Eliot, ME, Daniel Bilodeau and wife Carole of Newmarket, NH, and David Bilodeau and wife Laura of Epping, NH; the father of her children Benjamin Bilodeau of Epping, NH; her grandchildren, Anthony Bilodeau, Catherine Bilodeau, Amy Bilodeau, Elizabeth Bilodeau, Rebekah Bilodeau, Dylan Haigh and wife Kristy Martino, Brittany Bilodeau and wife Samantha Courtois, Brackett Bilodeau, Emerson Bilodeau and several nieces and nephews; as well as her dear friend, Jo Anne Parker with whom she lived since 2006.
The first Celebration of Life for Betty will be held at 1:00 P.M., Sunday, January 24, 2016, at Friendship United Methodist Church, 24 Main Street, Friendship, ME. The Reverend Robert Dorr will officiate. A second Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, February, 13, 2016, at Epping Community Church, 22 Pleasant Street, Epping, NH 03042, with Pastor Susan Ellery and Rev. Carroll Moore officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Economic Ministry, 1458 Salem Road, Strong, ME 04983. Betty’s family is assisted by Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland. To share a memory or condolence with Betty’s family, please visit her Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.