Elizabeth H. (Betsy) Fraser, 76, died Saturday, July 25, 2020 at her daughter’s home in Vermont after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
She was born December 14, 1943 in Milford, Connecticut the oldest daughter of Thomas and Lillian (Ainonen) Hair. She grew up in Monroe, Connecticut and graduated from Masuk High School, Class of 1961. She attended the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut where she met her future husband, John Fraser. John ultimately left college and joined the Army where he was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. Betsy left school and joined him in Germany where they married in February 1965. Their oldest daughter was born in Germany before John was transferred back to the states to Louisville, Kentucky, where the family remained until relocating back to New England in 1977. Betsy’s other two children were born in Louisville.
Betsy returned to college to finish the degree she put on hold to be with John in Germany. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business while raising a family and working full-time. She had a long and successful career with Grafton County Senior Citizens Council in Lebanon, New Hampshire, where she worked for many years, ultimately becoming the Associate Director. In 1998, she took a step back, transitioning to remote work managing the agency’s database, and taking care of her grandchildren. This work continued until this year, when her failing health forced her to leave the agency to which she devoted the majority of her career.
As part of their retirement plan, John and Betsy bought property in the Villages in Lady Lake, Florida and began spending more time in the south. Eventually they made Florida their permanent residence. Betsy remained in Florida until December 2019 when she returned to Vermont to be near her children.
Betsy had an energetic personality that was larger than life. While living in the Upper Valley, Betsy enjoyed bowling and square dancing with John for many years. In Florida, Betsy also enjoyed pickleball, mahjong, and bridge. Betsy was an avid reader and kept a running list of all the books she had read over the years. She enjoyed playing golf and was proud she had three hole-in-one shots to her credit. Betsy very much enjoyed spending time connecting with her neighbors in Florida who could be counted among her closest and dearest friends. Those that had the pleasure of meeting Betsy knew her to be outgoing, social, and the life of any party. She loved her red wine unapologetically over ice and was sure to tell others that her large glass contained ‘mostly ice’. She was fierce, determined, and held tight to the values of perseverance, commitment, and working hard to achieve your goals.
Betsy considered her children her pride and joy. She also loved her grandchildren fiercely and believed in the importance of showing up for the people she loved, and she lived that belief, attending many sporting events, theater productions, graduations, weddings, and other events large and small.
She was predeceased by her husband, John, who passed away in October 2015.
Betsy is survived by her two daughters, Bonny Fraser (Marcus) of Lambertville, New Jersey, Deborah Scribner (Brendan) of White River Junction and her son, Brian (Scott) Fraser (Ann) also of White River Junction. She leaves behind five grandchildren, Emily, Ethan, Charlie, James and Corissa and her sister, Linda Gidley of White River Junction, as well as her niece, nephew, and her many friends.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, services will take place at a future date.
