WINTHROP – Bette K. Burnham, 67, of North Main Street, North Monmouth, died Friday, Jan. 16, at Winthrop Manor Nursing Home in Winthrop, following a long illness.

She was born July 4, 1941, in Lewiston, the daughter of Morris and Ada Knight Stevens. Bette attended school in Winthrop and was a 1959 graduate of Winthrop High School, where she enjoyed singing in the school chorus.

On July 23, 1960, Bette married Richard L. Burnham in Winthrop.

Bette worked in area nursing homes, Knowles Boarding Home and Heritage Manor, as a CNA, she also worked the apple season at Highmoor Farms and Chick Orchards.

She was a member of the East Monmouth Church Ladies Auxiliary and the North Monmouth Community Church Auxiliary.

Bette was an excellent cook and at baking, with many Thanksgivings and Christmases with family, friends and someone who was alone to enjoy these special times with her. Bette excelled at arts and crafts, was a talented homemaker, and was excellent at decorating her home. She loved to crochet in her spare time, and won many ribbons at local fairs with her entries. Their Christmas tree was always decorated with decorations that Bette had crocheted, and the East Monmouth church tree was always decorated with ornaments that Bette had made. The congregation always marveled at her work.

Bette enjoyed going to church, and always said her prayers every night, thanking God for each day. She loved animals, especially her daughter’s dog, Colby. Bette enjoyed camping before her illness and spent many camping trips at Mt. Blue State Park. They also camped at many other camping areas, but Mt. Blue was her favorite. She also loved the coast, Popham Beach being one of her favorites, along with Christmas Cove and New Harbor, where she enjoyed many seafood dinners.

She will be long remembered for her smiles, laughter and caring ways. Bette was her husband’s right hand and was always there to help on projects or when he needed a hand to move things. Bette and her daughter, Penny, were extremely close.

She is survived by her husband, Richard L. Burnham of North Monmouth; a daughter, Penny Lee Ouellette and her husband, Kenneth, of North Monmouth; two grandsons, Dustin and Devin Ouellette of North Monmouth; two sisters, Judy Lyons and her husband, Myron, of Greene, and Martha Pease and her husband, George, of Monmouth; and also several nieces and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents, Morris and Ada Stevens; and her brother, Robert Morris Stevens.