Bette L. Arsenault

Lewiston - Bette Louise Arsenault, aged 83 and longtime Auburn resident, passed away March 17th at CMMC with family at her side. She was born January 23, 1941 in Lynn, MA, the daughter of the late Florian “Jack” Magno, Sr. and Lucy Jordan. She was named for the actress Bette Davis. Bette was educated in Auburn schools and graduated from Edward Little High School in 1959.

Following high school, she graduated in 1963 from Farmington State Teachers' College (known today as University of Maine at Farmington) with a teaching degree. It was here that she met her husband, Armand Henry Arsenault, of Rumford. In those days the college required women to have their guests sign in at the dorm, and one of the house mothers once mistakenly told roommates that Bette had gone on a date with “Armand Richards” which caused great confusion amongst her friends and later became a running joke in the family. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tell funny stories.

In August 1962 she and Armand were married at St. Patrick’s Church in Lewiston. Together they settled in Rumford as she began her teaching career in the Rumford school system. Their son Peter was born in 1963. She taught 6th grade until 1975 when she, Armand, and Peter moved to Auburn, where they built a new home on Clark Street and she and Armand went to work in her family's business, Florian's Market. Over the years she was a substitute teacher, real estate broker, Mary Kay salesperson, and worked on and off in the family’s store until her retirement.

Bette took great pride in her family heritage, her home city of Auburn, and especially Edward Little High School. She loved to tell stories about growing up in her neighborhood in New Auburn and kept in touch with many of the neighborhood “gang.” She attended St. Patrick's Church in Lewiston and in later years, Sacred Heart Church in Auburn. Bette was an avid reader and an excellent cook, and was known for her homemade pasta sauce and meatballs, among many other delicious dishes. She also hosted many family holidays and gatherings, and in later years, weekly cards nights with girlfriends.

She was an animal lover and she and Armand enjoyed the lives and company of many dogs, two cats, and two birds, including her most recent dog, Barney. She enjoyed decorating her home at Christmas time, including large Dickens Village displays which grew over the years, ultimately totaling over 100 pieces that required specially-constructed display tables made by Armand. She also enjoyed antique furnishings and liked primitive, country decor. Bette liked traveling and Armand took her to Aruba for their 25th wedding anniversary. For nearly twenty years thereafter they took annual trips to the island. They also enjoyed a family trip to Germany, Washington State, cruises, and several other family trips.

She was a volunteer at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center for over 15 years, where she made many dear friends. She and her group of friends were also enthusiastic participants in a local exercise class for seniors. In the last several years she had close friendships with several fellow residents at Great Falls Plaza. She made friends everywhere she went. When Armand suffered his stroke and went to a nursing home in 2011, it was only the most significant snow storms that kept her from going to see him every single day for nearly three years. She was a fierce advocate for him until he passed.

Bette loved her family beyond words and was always incredibly giving to family, friends, and strangers alike. Throughout the years she and Armand were caregivers to several family members and also took in two cats and a dog in need of a home. She had a very special and close relationship with her granddaughter, Aimee Louise. More recently, she was a proud “Nanny” to her two great-grandsons, Henry and Teddy, for whom she always had a small gift or treat. Bette loved attending their soccer and T-ball games, birthday parties, and other occasions as well as all of Peter's grade school and high school football games back in the day. She loved her grandson-in-law Chris, and as she was only 5’1” tall, delighted in asking him to change her light bulbs and reach high-up items on her shelves whenever he came over.

She leaves behind her son Peter Arsenault and his wife Ann of Lewiston; her granddaughter Aimee Labbe and her husband Christopher of Poland; her two great-grandsons, whom she cherished, Henry and Theodore Labbe; a brother Florian Magno, Jr. and wife Mary Lou of Litchfield and FL; close cousins, Carlene Magno of Auburn and Elvira Ferraro of FL; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close and longtime friends. She also leaves behind her beloved dog and companion, Barney, named for Barney Fife from her all-time favorite TV show, The Andy Griffith Show.

She was predeceased by and is now reunited with her husband Armand; her parents; brothers Charlie and Roger; and many other dear family members and in-laws.

The family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Ruddy and the team at CMMC for their professional and compassionate care.

A memorial gathering will take place on Saturday, March 30th at Davinci's Eatery in Lewiston from 11 AM - 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Bette's memory to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society in Lewiston at www.gahumane.org An interment next to her husband will take place at a later date in the family lot at Mt. Hope Cemetery. To leave a message for the family in their online guestbook, please visit www.thefortingrouplewiston.com

Arrangements are entrusted to The Fortin Group Funeral Homes of Lewiston & Auburn, 784-4584.