Obituary of Elizabeth LaValley Harnden

Elizabeth “Betty” LaValley Harnden, 79, passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2014 at the Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, surrounded by the comfort of her loving family. Betty and her husband, Herb, lived in Norton until Herb’s retirement from the Norton School Department. In 1988, they relocated to Waldo, Maine where they enjoyed their retirement until Herb’s death in 2010. For the past 16 months, Betty had resided at Harbor Hill Center in Belfast, Maine. Betty was born on May 31, 1935 in Walpole to Dorothy (York) and Alfred LaValley, Sr. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Herbert L. Harnden, Sr. Betty was an avid lifetime Red Sox fan and also enjoyed the Patriots. She enjoyed knitting, cooking and crocheting. Along with raising their own four children, Betty and Herb were foster parents and for many years provided a loving home for children under the care of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families while living in Norton. Betty is survived by her loving children, Cindy Harnden of Searsmont, Maine, Shirley Letourneau and her husband Robert of Foxboro, Herbert Harnden, Jr. and his wife Kathy of Waldo, Maine and William Harnden and his wife Debbie of Waldo, Maine. Betty is also survived by her grandchildren, Ryan Harnden and his wife Mallory, Kelly Hawthorne and her husband Kyle, and Joshua and Jessica Harnden all of Waldo, Maine, Sara and Gregory Letourneau of Foxboro, and Chris Albert and his wife Jenny of Newburgh, Maine; and her four great-grandchildren, Mikayla and Drake Hawthorne and Mackenzie and Cameron Albert. She was also anxiously awaiting the birth of her fifth great-grandchild due the end of June. Betty is also survived by her devoted sister, Sandra Jordan of Waldo, Maine whom she loved like a daughter and who unselfishly cared for her during her later years, her brothers, William LaValley of Belmont, Maine and Rev. Alfred LaValley, Jr. of W. Springfield, as well as her good friends Judy Pelletier of Attleboro, Irene and Dick Dresser of Taunton and Alice and Bob Albert of Tamarac, Florida. A graveside memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on June 21st at Paul Yard Cemetery on Birches Road in Waldo, Maine. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Betty’s memory to The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 04102. Memories and condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com. Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast, Maine.