Bertha E. “Betty” (Raynes) Philbrook

KITTERY – Bertha E. “Betty” (Raynes) Philbrook, 89, passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. She spent her final hours surrounded by her loving family at Durgin Pines in Kittery, Maine. She resided in Kittery Point for 84 years before becoming a resident of Durgin Pines in 2008.

Betty was born December 28, 1923 in Kittery Point, the daughter of Sherman F. Raynes and Emma C. Raynes. She was a lifelong homemaker having raised a large family of six children. Betty was well known for her wonderful art of cooking and baking. If not in the kitchen, she could be found at the sewing machine creating beautiful items of her own design with no patterns necessary. A set of knitting needles and a skein of yarn were always on hand for yet another baby sweater or a pair of mittens. Betty loved to work outside in her flower gardens and took great pride in her rock gardens and frog waterfall. She also enjoyed gatherings filled with family and food which included homemade hand-churned ice cream in the winter and, in the summer, making baked beans in her very own bean hole she built in the back yard. Betty loved camping when her children were younger, first starting out in a tent and later in a pop-up camper at various campgrounds in Maine and New Hampshire. In her senior years, Betty took pleasure in spending time and helping out at the Kittery Senior Center and taking day trips with her friends at the center. She was very happy to be able to spend many winters in Florida with her daughter, Donna. Betty’s favorite holiday was Halloween when she would transform herself into a wicked witch and her kitchen into a spooky place for trick-or-treaters to come in for a cup of cider, a cookie or cupcake and a goodie bag. Word of this traveled far and wide and kids and parents alike came in by the dozens. Once Betty started residing at Durgin Pines, her nurturing ways found her trying to help clear tables in the dining room or running to the aid of other residents in distress. Bertha (as she is known at Durgin Pines) will be remembered by staff for her love of music and dancing. She will be missed by all who loved her.

Betty was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Lyford Philbrook in 2004, and her brothers, Sherman (Jason) Raynes, Wesley Raynes and Clayton Raynes.

Betty is survived by three sons, Wesley Philbrook and wife Abby of York; Stephen Philbrook and wife Barbara of Shapleigh; and Thomas Philbrook and wife Michele of Kittery Point; three daughters, Donna McGee and husband Dale of Steuben; Susan Ferguson and husband Robert of Belmont, NH; and Lisa Briest and husband Tommy Briest of Erwin, TN; and 19 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother, Lester Raynes and wife Millie of Kittery Point, and her sister, Shirley Raynes of Biddeford.    

There will be no calling hours.

A graveside service will be held at the First Baptist Church cemetery (entrance near Mitchell School), Kittery Point, on Saturday, July 27, 2013, at 2:00 p.m.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Wesley and Abby Philbrook, 119 Scituate Road, York, following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations be made to the Durgin Pines Resident Activity Fund and mailed to Durgin Pines, 9 Lewis Road, Kittery, ME 03904, or to the Kittery Community Center, 200 Rogers Road, Kittery, ME 03904.

Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services, Portland, Maine, is assisting the family with cremation services. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.advantageportland.com.