AUBURN — Betty Lou Burnham, 70, longtime resident of Auburn, passed away Friday, Feb. 3, peacefully after battling an aggressive form of PSP/MSA Parkinson’s, with her family holding her hands.

She was born April 13, 1946, in Lewiston, daughter of Carrol Burnham and Florence Tarkini, both deceased. She graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn in 1964, Gray Secretarial School in 1965 and also earned an associate degree in business from the University of Maine.

She was formerly a full-time real estate broker with Century 21 Advantage, all of whom she thought of as her second family. It is through real estate that she met her longtime best friend, Anne Parker, who was with her until her last day on Earth, as well as John Jenkins and Shawna Cotter.

She owned Bill Davis’ Smokeshop/Luncheonette, North Star Exchange and Wrappers food cart and SERVPRO of Augusta.

She was a cook and brought many meals to those in need. She loved the mountains and the ocean, but above all, her time with her two grandchildren brought her the most joy.

She is survived by her only son, David Allen Strout of Auburn and his wife, Betsy; two grandchildren, Jacob Bergeron of New Gloucester and Paige Strout of Auburn; her companion, Mathew Walsh; great-grandchild, Kaia Walsh of Auburn; brothers, David Burnham of Auburn, and his late wife, Jeanne, and Fred Burnham of Lewiston; only sister, Patricia Burnham of Auburn; an aunt, Arlene and Norm Lavoie; and an uncle, Leo Boucher; several nieces and nephews; and two friends who helped care for her, Ron and Verna.

The family would like to thank the staff at Clover Manor and Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice for their love, support and care this year.

Betty Lou Burnham