Bette Roth

AUBURN — Bette Louise Roth, 84, of Raymond and Vero Beach, Fla., died on Thursday, May 29, 2014, at the Androscoggin Hospice House with her family by her side.

Born in Des Plaines, Ill., on April 28, 1930, the daughter of the late LeRoy and Louise Sass Nelson, she graduated from Maine Township High School in the class of 1948. There she was a member of the “Mounted Maine-ites” equestrian team. Her love of horses continued after high school and she vacationed at dude ranches across the Midwest. Upon graduation, she and friends drove across the country in a rented convertible and visited Cuba in the pre-embargo days.

Bette worked in Chicago for the Hartford Insurance Company from 1948 to 1953, where she met her husband, Jerry. After marrying, she supported the family as a homemaker, remaining active in all the communities she resided in.

Bette was a long-time volunteer at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Conn., and also volunteered as a Welcome Wagon host, Meals on Wheels driver, PTO/PTA president, and Cub Scout Den Mother. She enjoyed traveling with her family, and was a strong voice of support for the Hartford Whalers with her loud cowbell. Bette and Jerry were members and supporters of the Hartford Stage Company.

Mrs. Roth was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Raymond, and Holy Cross Church in Vero Beach, Fla.

She enjoyed spending time at the ocean in Vero Beach and on Sebago Lake in Raymond. Jerry and Bette traveled extensively and cherished their regular trips to Wisconsin to reunite with old friends. Bette also enjoyed sharing stories of her childhood with her granddaughters and watching them grow up.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jerome J. Roth of Raymond and Vero Beach, Fla., whom she married on Oct. 23, 1953; her son, Thomas J. Roth of Auburn; and two granddaughters.

She was predeceased by her parents, LeRoy Nelson and Louise (Sass) Nelson; and a brother, Robert Nelson, all of Des Plaines, Ill.

Private funeral and burial will be held at the convenience of the family. A service of The Fortin Group Plummer & Merrill Funeral Home Cremation and Monument Services, 217 Turner Street, Auburn. Online condolences at www.thefortingroupauburn.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation in Bette’s name at www.pdf.org