Obituary of Elizabeth McRae

Betsy (Elizabeth) Page McRae died peacefully on February 25th, shortly after her 91st birthday, being blessed by the comfort care of the Sussman House in Rockport, Maine. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, raising a family in nearby East Longmeadow, then transplanting to Rochester, Vermont and finally Camden, Maine, she provided a joyful inspiration to her children, family and friends wherever she resided. She is survived by her children Kerry McRae, Glenn McRae (m. Hollie), Mary McRae (m. Beth), and Carney Doucette; her grandchildren Chelsea (& Travis), Alex (& Paloma), Brooke (& Jason), Sable (& Daniel), niece Patty, and great grandchildren, Adam, Marcus, Fiona, and Nathan. A reader, birdwatcher, nature lover, gardener, mentor, and friend, her family was especially in awe of her reinventing herself in her sixties, living on her own, learning to drive, and becoming a voracious traveler with a passion for seeing all the natural, historical and cultural treasures east of the Mississippi over two decades, while also retaining deep relationships to the communities she called home and always returned to. She strove to express gratitude to people and the world around her daily, and instill that virtue in others. In her last note she wrote out a wish (drawing on Bob Dylan and Thomas Campbell): May you all stay forever young; May you always find joy, laughter and happiness; Above all may you always find peace and LOVE. To live in hearts I leave behind is not to die. Remembrance donations can be made to the Park House Retirement Home (16 Park Row, Rochester, VT 05767 - http://parkhousevt.org/) or Pierce Hall Community Center, Inc. (38 South Main St., P.O. Box 86, Rochester, VT 05767 - http://www.piercehall.org/how-you-can-help/) Remembrance donations can be made to support the Tonian Circle at the First Universalist Church in Rockland, fostering friendship and understanding between the older and newer women of the church (345 Broadway, Rockland, ME 04841 - http://www.uurockland.org/). Memories and condolences may be shared at www.directcremationofmaine.com.