1925 – 2016

LEWISTON —

, formerly of Wellman Street, Lewiston, and Largo, Fla., most recently of 100 Campus Ave., Lewiston, died peacefully Saturday, July 23, at Russell Park Living Center.

Betty was born April 26, 1925, to John and Dora LaBossierre Hopkins and often spoke of the wonderful, happy home life she and her five siblings had while growing up in Lewiston — a home filled with good food, laughter, music and dancing, and lots of baseball.

Upon graduation from Lewiston High School in 1943, she attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing, received her registered nursing degree in 1946, and worked for many years as a nurse at St. Mary’s General Hospital, Maison Marcotte and finished her nursing career doing private-duty nursing.

Betty married Lynwood A. Foss in 1949 and lived in Lewiston where they both were very involved in Scouts, the United Baptist Church, Pettingill PTA, the Lewiston City PTA and Lewiston High School Boosters. They loved playing cards, going dancing and having parties with family and friends. Family camping at Sebago Lake State Park and Cathedral Pines and climbing many of the trails on Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park were favorite summer pastimes.

In 1984 they became “snowbirds” at Oak Crest Park in Largo, Fla., until Lyn’s passing in 1994. Betty then continued to live full-time in Florida until declining health brought her back to Maine. She loved her active life in Florida and hated having to leave so many dear friends behind.

While in Largo, Betty was very active in her community as a volunteer at the Largo Community Center and the Largo Library, where she especially loved helping out at the annual Easter egg hunt.

Elizabeth was a “Red Hatter” who thoroughly enjoyed dressing up in her purple outfits and numerous fancy red hats. At Oak Crest, Betty was in charge of getting volunteers to paint the clubhouse windows every year for Halloween and Christmas and then prepared an entire meal for all of them to enjoy afterward! She was also in charge of planning the North-East Club’s dinners and entertainment and loved taking part in the variety shows and costume parties.

However, her greatest joy came in her art classes and the lovely paintings she created, despite having a debilitating condition known as “essential tremor.”

Betty is survived by daughter, Judith Foss Albert and her husband, Brian Albert, of Lewiston; their sons, Christopher Albert of Lewiston, Keith Albert and wife, Pamela Foster Albert, along with their two children, Caleb and Breccan Albert, all of Auburn, and Kevin Albert and wife, Jennifer Laroche-Albert, along with their three children, Conrad, Hayden and Madeleine Albert, all of Lewiston. She is survived by son, Lynwood Bud Foss and his partner, Laurie Andrews, of Saco; Bud’s children, Jennifer Foss Hitchcock and husband, Travis Hitchcock, along with their two children, Brooklynn and Colton Hitchcock, all of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., and Ryan Foss and partner, Natasha Bove, also of North Carolina.

Betty is also survived by sisters, Marjorie Hopkins Lizotte and her husband, Albin Ben Lizotte, of Auburn and Helen Hopkins McNerney Briggs of Rochester, N.Y.; and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Hopkins and Christine Hopkins of Lewiston.

Betty was predeceased by her husband, Lynwood Foss; parents, John and Dora Hopkins; and three brothers, George, John and Robert Hopkins.

We wish to thank the staff at Russell Park Living and Rehabilitation Center for the wonderful, loving care and compassion they showed Betty and family members in her brief stay with them, as well as the private CNAs, especially Jennifer Marcotte, who cared for Betty at home. Betty was so happy to have the wonderful friends she made while living at St. Mary’s Residences and very grateful for all of the kindness and help extended to her by the staff of Campus Cuisine and Larry Morin, building director.