1928 – 2016

LEWISTON — Bette J. Buchanan, 88, of Auburn died Friday Nov. 4, at Montello Manor.

Born in Lewiston on March 25, 1928, the daughter of the late Alexander and Katherine (Ricker) Baumann.

She was married to Robert E. Buchanan on June 16, 1951, and he died on Dec. 5, 2008.

Bette graduated from Lewiston High School, Class of 1945. She started her college education at Columbia University in New York City and received her bachelor’s degree with highest honors from the University of Maine. Bette was a teacher for the Auburn school department from 1967 until 1983 and had been on the Board of Directors for the League of Women’s Voters, The Taylor Pond Yacht Club, LA Kiwanis, YWCA, and was a lifetime member of The Women’s Hospital Association.

Bette was a parishioner of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church where she was a Sunday school teacher when her children were young.

In her earlier years, she was a swimming instructor for the YMCA in Auburn and more recently was a member of the YMCA fitness group. She was also fond of playing bridge, having been a member of the Lew/Aub Tuesday Bridge Group for more than 40 years.

Bette was also involved with the theatre, she had been featured in many plays as well as directing and back stage work with the Community Little Theatre. While she was living in New York City, Bette was a member of the Feagan Players and appeared in several off Broadway plays.

Bette is survived by three children, Mary A. Smith and husband, Thomas, of Litchfield, Thomas R. Buchanan of Falmouth and Andrew E. Buchanan and wife, Denise, of Auburn; five grandchildren, Catherine M. Smith of Randolph, Sarah J. Smith and fiancé, Jeremy Douglass, of Augusta, Bradley E. Buchanan and Meranda Pelletier of Clifton, Crystal W. Chandonnet and husband, Benjamin, of Hampstead, N.H., and Justin L. Goulet of Lewiston; great-grandchildren, Alexander T. Whitmore, Rebekka L. Buchanan, Sophia Leigh DeAngelo, Aislynn Goulet, Ryker Goulet, Katelyn Douglas and Kristen Douglas; two sisters-in-laws, Martha Baumann and Glen Baumann; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by two sisters and their husbands, Mary E. Manfra and husband, George Manfra, and Catherine Willette and husband, George “Buddy,” Willette; two brothers, George A. Baumann and Michael Baumann; and she was also predeceased by her beloved cat, Victoria.

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