BURLINGTON, Pa. – Betty M. Rasmussen 79, of Topsham, passed away April 18, at the Bradford County Manor, after moving there from the Scarborough Terrace in May 2008.

She was born Dec. 16, 1929, in Worcester, Mass., the daughter of John Rasmussen and Edith (Widegren) Rasmussen of Portland.

She was a longtime resident of Topsham and had spent the last 20-plus years of her work life in Auburn. A graduate of Gordon College in Wenham, Mass., she had a long career in education. She loved children and will be remembered fondly by her students and her co-workers.

She taught fifth grade at Hawthorne School and then moved to a guidance position at Brunswick High School. She later took a principal’s position at Coffin School and then the Junior High School, both in Brunswick.

After completing graduate work at the University of Maine in Orono, she moved into a consultant position with the state department of education. From there she went to Auburn to become the principal at Washburn and Webster schools.

She is survived by her brother, John H. Rasmussen of Kissimmee, Fla., and his wife, Dorothy; two nieces and one nephew, Ruth (Pennsylvania), Judy (Florida) and David (California); 13 great-nieces and great-nephews; and two great-great-nieces.

She was predeceased by her parents; and one niece.