MONMOUTH — Elizabeth “Betty” A. Bryant, 73, of Monmouth died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, Nov. 18, at her residence.

She was born in Lewiston on June 13, 1937, the daughter of the late Louis and Annis (Brown) Talarico and was a resident of this community all of her life.

She was educated in Lewiston schools and was a graduate of Lewiston High School Class of 1954. She also attended Gorham Teachers College in Gorham, Maine.

She and her husband, Russell, owned and operated Luiggi’s Pizzeria in Lewiston, as well as Ye Olde House Gourmet Restaurant in Raymond. They also owned an antique shop in Poland called The 5 B’s.

Throughout her life, she played an instrumental role in her church and community. She was a Eucharistic minister at Our Lady of Ransom Church in Mechanic Falls and helped with fundraising for a major building expansion there.

Betty was also a member of the Busy Bees in Poland and enjoyed many types of crafts, including making braided rugs, painting, stenciling and other historic crafts. She loved to bake and decorate cakes. She was also active in both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts with her children.

She is survived by her husband, Russell A. Bryant, whom she married on June 11, 1960, of Monmouth; one daughter, Catherine Bryant of Monmouth; two sons, William Bryant and his wife, Elizabeth, of Monmouth and Eric Bryant and his wife, Tina, of Hebron; two sisters, Evelyn Bolduc and her husband, Paul, of Maryland and Marylin Newell and her husband, Douglas, of Hebron; one brother, Dr. Louis Talarico II, of New Gloucester; 11 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a sister Carmella Talarico, who died in 1967.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com .