Elizabeth E. (Betty) Atwood, 86, of Damariscotta, passed away on the morning of May 9 at Cove’s Edge Nursing Home, Damariscotta. The daughter of Louise G. (Johnson) Emery and Barton Comstock Emery, she was born on Aug. 9, 1919 in Holliston, Mass. She was educated in the Holliston public schools and Bouvé/Boston (Simmons College) with a degree in physical education. She was active in Girl Scouts, earning the Golden Eaglet (now called the Gold Award) and holding several adult leadership positions into the 1950’s. During WWII, she worked with the YMCA/YWCA and the USO in Detroit where she met Elwin H. (Ed) Atwood of Taunton, Mass. They were married in July of 1944 in Holliston, Mass. and after the war moved to Cedar Falls, Ia. where Philip, Paul and Charles were born.
The family moved back to Holliston in 1952 to be near family and friends. While raising the three boys, Betty held various jobs including crossing guard, drivers education teacher, special education teacher, sewing teacher, caterer, and sales at Sears and Singer.
In 1972, she and Ed moved to Wiscasset and started working at the Smiling Cow and Gimbel’s Country Store in Boothbay Harbor, Brunswick and Pemaquid. Betty worked for Gimbel’s for more than 20 years, making a great group of friends in the Wiscasset, Boothbay, and Damariscotta area. After Ed died in 1984, she spent winters in Lake Wales, Fla. In 2001, she moved to Damariscotta to live with her sister Sally Haines and her helpful and attentive nephew John Haines.
Born one year after the previous Red Sox World Series win, she rejoiced as much as any long suffering fan in 2004.
Betty was predeceased by her husband in 1984 and son Philip J. Atwood in 2001.
Surviving are two sons, Paul B. Atwood of Medway, Mass. and Charles B. Atwood of Amherst, Mass.; sister, Sally E. Haines; nephews, John Haines of Damariscotta and David Haines of Belchertown, Mass.; and three grandchildren, Benjamin, Julia and Rachel Atwood.
Service to honor Betty was held at the Chapel of Cove’s Edge. She will be laid to rest, with her husband, at the Lake Grove Cemetery, Holliston, Mass.
If desired, the family wishes donations to the American Stroke Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.