KINGFIELD – Bertha Lawrence Durrell, 98, passed away at her beloved home on Jan. 12.

She was born July 26, 1910, in Bridgewater, the daughter of Charles Edgar and Alberta (Jamison) Lawrence. She graduated from Bridgewater Classical Academy in 1928, Farmington Normal School in 1938, and continued formal education at Bates College. She taught school in New Vineyard, Bridgewater, and Presque Isle, where she was active with the USO during World War II.

She married Clair H. Durrell in Bridgewater on Sept. 7, 1944. He died in 1982. They lived in Portland, where Clair was employed in shipbuilding until after the end of the war. They returned to Clair’s home in Kingfield and moved to West Kingfield in 1949, where they operated a small family dairy farm. She returned to teaching and taught several grades while maintaining a full farm and community life. She retired from Kingfield Elementary School in 1972.

She was a member of the Kingfield United Methodist Church and was involved in many of the church activities. She was also a member of the Kingfield Extension and a life member of the Eastern Star of Mars Hill.

She maintained a life-long interest in current affairs and was a great reader, gardener and, in retirement, became an avid Red Sox fan.

She is survived by two daughters, Martha Norris of Fairfield and Mary Ellen Durrell of Carrabasset with an extended family of grandnieces and nephews to whom she was affectionately known as “Aunty B;” and a trusted friend and long-time caregiver, Betty Parsons of Kingfield, our family is forever grateful for the exceptional care she provided to “B” over the years.

She was predeceased by her parents; husband Clair; and infant brother.