Barbara E. Strout, 91

WINDHAM — Barbara Elizabeth Strout, 91, of Windham, better known to family and friends as Betty, died peacefully on Saturday, May 10, 2014, after a short stay at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.

She was born in Falmouth on Feb. 26, 1923, the third child of eleven to Morris and Muriel Googins.

She was Salutatorian of the class of 1940 at Falmouth High School. She married Winfred M. Strout Jr. of South Portland in 1945.

Betty had a very busy and full life. She served as the elected Town Clerk, Tax Collector and Treasurer for the Town of Windham from 1968 to 1977. She served as the Town Manager of Casco for one year and then returned as Town Clerk of Windham from 1978 to 1986. She also served as Secretary-Treasurer of Cumberland County City and Town Clerks Association.

On Dec. 3, 1986, Betty was sworn into her first term in the Maine Legislature. She served until Dec. 5, 1990. She was an active longstanding member of the Republican Party. She was a Charter Member of the George Bush Presidential Center and a member of the Cumberland County Republican Committee. Betty was a dedicated member of the Windham Hill United Church of Christ for 42 years and, until recently, a longtime member of the choir, and served as the church treasurer for 21 years. Betty was also a member and officer of the Annie A. Gould Tent, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and also a member of Eastern Star. She was a very loving and supportive mother (a rock really), a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Betty was predeceased by her husband Win; her brother Douglas; and her sisters Winona, Eileen, Patricia, Gwendolyn and Nancy. She is survived by her two sons: Richard L. Roy Jr. of Windham, and Ronald E. Strout, also of Windham; a daughter Lauraett Baggett of Casco; her four brothers: Charles Googins of Gray, Merle Googins of Cornish, George Googins of Brunswick, and Sherwood Googins of Westbrook; 10 grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. She was deeply loved and will be missed by her family and friends.

Visiting hours will be 6 – 8 p.m., on Friday, May 16, 2014, at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Road, Windham. There will be a funeral service 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at the Windham Hill United Church of Christ, 140 Windham Center Road, Windham. Burial will be private at a date in the future. In lieu of flowers, Betty’s family would appreciate donations in her honor to: Windham Hill United Church of Christ, 140 Windham Center Road, Windham, Maine 04062.