Betty Jean Robbins

Betty-Jean (BJ) Robbins died peacefully at The Cedars in Portland on January 14th after a period of declining health. She lived a full and vibrant life full of adventure and deep friendships and will be missed by everyone who’s life she touched.

Born to A. Raymond Holden and Dorothy Whitaker Holden in Kansas City, Mo on October 10, 1930, BJ grew up in Manchester, NH and attended Northfield School for Girls in Northfield, MA and Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. She developed lifelong friendships at both institutions and remained connected to her oldest friends throughout her life.

BJ married John Schnapp shortly after graduating from Vassar and the couple moved to Rochester, NY to begin a family that included sons Jeffrey, Douglas (Scott) and Tom. Shortly after Tom’s birth, the family had the opportunity to work and live in Mexico City from 1958 to 1967, an experience that significantly changed their lives. It stimulated a strong interest in foreign cultures and worldwide adventure that BJ continued throughout her life.

Shortly after returning to the United States the family moved to Boston and BJ went back to school to get a Masters degree in Counseling from Northeastern University, and began working at Erich Lindemann Mental Health Center in Boston. She loved living in the city, appreciating being able to walk to work and the many cultural aspects of urban life.

Shortly after a divorce from John, BJ reconnected with Joseph Robbins at a reunion of choir participants from the Northfield/Mount Hermon School. She and Joe shared a deep love of music and travel and were married several years later in Honolulu, precipitating a move to Maine, where Joe grew up and lived.

BJ embraced the outdoor lifestyle Maine offered and worked at the Cumberland County Jail and Windham Corrections Institution counseling inmates. She and Joe also traveled extensively and built a home in Harpswell, which they both loved. She had a deep love and loyalty to her many friends, organizing reunions and remaining in touch with a wide range of old and new friends throughout her life. She also was an active participant in the College Club and the Newcomers Club after retiring from work.

BJ leaves behind sons Jeffrey Schnapp and Douglas (Scott) Schnapp, daughter in law Heidi Almy, and grandchildren Benjamin and Alison Schnapp, Giancarlo Poli-Schnapp, and Alexander Gough-Schnapp. She also will be missed by great grandchildren Holden, Adelaide and Sydney Schnapp, and sister Margo Chipman. She was pre-deceased by son Tom, husband Joe Robbins and ex-husband John Schnapp.

A celebration of BJ’s life will be held at a later date.