Obituary of Elizabeth Carter

Elizabeth C. “Betty” (Campbell) Carter of Burlington, passed away at her home on Thursday morning, December 23, 2010, after suffering with Pulmonary Fibrosis for several years. The wife of the late Franklin Carter, she was 87 years old. Betty was born in New Orleans, LA. She was the daughter of the late Arlton and Rebecca Campbell. Her parents moved to Jenkintown, PA where she was raised and educated. She graduated from Jenkintown High School in 1941. After the death of her father, her family moved to Waltham, MA to be close to her mother’s family. She met her husband Franklin there and they were married in 1943. They were married for 53 years. Betty’s family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed family reunions. Unbeknownst to many of her friends and some of her family she was the proud sponsor of a child in the Philippines. She started with April Domingo at the age of seven and she is now eighteen and starting her second year of college. Betty was happy to make a difference in the life of a child. Betty worked for the Town of Burlington for almost thirty years as a Cafeteria Manager. She first worked at the Pine Glenn School and then for ten years at the Burlington High School retiring in 1990. Betty’s church was very important to her and she served on several committees and was a lifelong Deacon. She was very grateful to Rev. Gene Davis and especially to Rev. Peggy Derick for their spiritual guidance. Betty was also very active with the Burlington Senior Citizen Organization (BSCO) and was President for four years, and also held the position as Treasurer Betty made many friendships at the Senior Center. She was also a lifetime member of Tops MA 32 Burlington. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her family and many friends. Betty was the beloved wife of the late Franklin Carter. She was the loving mother of Susan Butler & her late husband Frank of Rockland, ME, Pamela Walker & her husband Donald of Burlington, Penny Marsh & her husband Bob of Burlington, and Paul Carter & his wife Michelle of Northwood, NH. Sister of the late Arlton Campbell. Betty is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Wed. December 29 at 10 a.m. Followed by Funeral Services at the United Church of Christ Congregational, 6 Lexington St., Burlington at 11 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Betty’s name may be made to the United Church of Christ Congregational, 6 Lexington St., Burlington, MA 01803. Eulogy for Betty Carter By her daughter, Penny Marsh What a ride she gave us! Betty Carter was an amazing woman, great friend, and my mom. She always found the best in everyone and gave the benefit of the doubt, and just made everything turn out well for everyone. Even the events of this past week, she couldn’t have orchestrated more perfectly. She had the gifts wrapped and mailed, the cards sent, and all the letters to those she held dear to her heart in a safe place to be read upon her passing. Organized, efficient and well thought out. She loved surprises and left all of us with a little something to remember her by. Her childhood was a happy one. She often told us of the stories of the ice man (before refrigeration they had to have ice delivered for the “ice box”) and how on hot summer days the neighborhood children would follow the ice truck hoping for him to leave chunks of ice along the streets for them to cool themselves. She told of the many hours at the movie theatre waiting week to week to find out what happened to the heroine in the story from the previous week, and waited anxiously for the outcome – which, by the way, was always a good one. And then, if you can imagine, when she was 8 years old her father would put her on a train from Pennsylvania to Waltham MA, where she would travel by herself to her grandmother’s house – “Little Red Riding Hood” had nothing on this child! She loved reading and stories and loved to scare us with the poem “The Goblins will get you if you don’t watch out!” and always at bedtime too. She would ask me “do you think he/she (pertaining to the grandchild) is old enough for the goblin poem?” and I would say “if you want them to have nightmares, but it still scares me to this day!” She was playful and fun and always enjoyed showing people a good time – yes, she loved life. She was not afraid to try anything, within limits of course, proving that at 78 years old she could get on Paul’s motorcycle, and go on Ryan & Jessica’s Jetski for a ride around the lake. She loved the ocean and I remember when we were children, she took us to the beach on hot summer days with a picnic basket packed with Egg salad and Tuna salad sandwiches – never to be thought of today – and the energy and tenacity to forge through even the most difficult of times. She took Pam and me on several adventures on Saturdays be it shopping, lunch or just enjoying an afternoon in Rockport going through the old shops. She loved to travel and always talked about Hawaii, Atlantic City and yes of course, LAS VEGAS! the King of all her favorite places. She did have a bit of “the gambler” in her and did blame it on her father. But of all the places she traveled, she loved going to Paul’s in the summertime to have our Summer Family Gatherings and knew that someone, even she, may end up in the pool. It was all about having fun with her family and teaching us to have fun with one another. Family was important to her as she grew up without any cousins – only “the old folks”. She had one brother who followed her everywhere she went, and she wasn’t fond of him being underfoot all the time. But her friends and family were her life. “You have to have friends to share with”, she would tell me. They are different than your family, but just as important. She proved that comment with her friend Betty Moore. My parents moved to Lantern Lane, just before I was born and NO two women have ever been more inseparable than Betty and Betty – as they were nicknamed. They did everything together all of their life. They raised their children together, joined TOPS, church, and even dropped off all of their kids at the old movie theatre in Woburn all day Saturdays so that they could just go and “shop” together. (yes, Betty, I remember!) WE didn’t know differently, as it was great being there for 5 hours at the double features! They have been lifelong friends, companions, compadres’, sisters and soul mates. One can’t imagine one without the other, and I don’t think with a friendship like theirs, Mom will ever be away from Betty Moore. She will always be at your side. She loved going to see Susan and her family in Rockland Maine, and always used “the lobster festival” as an excuse to get all of us there. She had to check in to make sure they were all well, and then felt content; knowing that they were safe, and once again, she made sure the entire family was together. She was so proud of Adam and Crissy with all of their accomplishments and beautiful family. Nicole surprised all of us at Mom’s 87th birthday last spring bringing 8 week old baby Carter with her. She couldn’t believe that the gift of surprise – on her this time – could bring such joy. She loved being part of the Church as collector, deacon and making things secure for all those who attended church. She loved being part of the seniors in town and always made sure it was fun, well attended and that everyone had a good time. As for the last years of her life, being close to her family and “circle of friends” made her life complete and satisfied her. She grew more dependent upon Pam and Myself, much because she had to and didn’t always want to “impose” on us or anyone. She enjoyed the gift of her daily companion Cindy and the strength she brought to her and us, sustaining through the difficult days. She loved it when the grandchildren came to visit and would listen to Jason as he told her about his music plans and his band. She loved to have AJ and Dylan come to find the quarters she and I hid the day before. She enjoyed seeing Kyle when he “popped in for a visit or a surprise “Katie is in town” too. But she depended on Jeff to be there when she needed someone other than Pam or me. She said He was her knight in shining armor and would help her whenever she called. She knew he was dependable and strong. Each of her grandchildren holds many different gifts and she enjoyed each and every one of them. They are a product of her and my father, and the generations that went before that laid the foundation of family, for they have been the love of her life. So, as she stated in her letter to the family “Do not grieve for me….well, just a little….then don’t be sad, for I am in a better place, safe and with loved ones, and until we meet again, I love you all.” The song Over the Rainbow is no wonder her favorite, for just think how awesome it is for her… Flying with bluebirds - way above the chimney tops - over the rainbow … THAT’S where we will find her!