1933 – 2016

LISBON — Betty C. (Leighton) Balestrieri, 83, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, Oct. 26.

She was born in Durham on March 23, 1933, the daughter of the late Mark S. Leighton and Corinnabelle (Hicks).

Betty grew up in Harpswell and lived in Maine her entire life. She married Edward Balestrieri and they shared a loving marriage for more than 60 years. Together, they enjoyed traveling up and down the East Coast, and they especially enjoyed their winters together in Mexico Beach, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

To Betty, family was the most important thing. A favorite day in her life would start with a spontaneous invite for a day full of random adventures, with lunch included. In her later years, she appreciated and was fascinated with how far technology had come. She would often be seen “stuck” on her iPad in between her daily chores playing “Words With Friends” and catching up on recent news and events on Facebook. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were considered the “sparkle in her eye.”

Betty is survived by her one daughter, Diane, and her husband, Mark Armstrong; two sons, Daniel Balestrieri and Douglas Balestrieri; daughter-in-law, Cathie Balestrieri; one sister, Arlene Piirainen; five grandchildren, Dillon, Dustin, Drew, Angela and Melanie; three great-grandchildren, Anthony, Emma and Dominic; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her youngest son, David Balestrieri; one brother, Donald Leighton; two sisters, Merlyn Beggs and Jeanette Johnson.

Friends and family are invited to share their memories and offer their condolences by visiting Betty’s online guest book at www.crosmanfuneralhome.com.