Obituary of Elizabeth C. Gross

PENOBSCOT –Elizabeth “Betty” Gross passed away peacefully in a Bangor hospital on January21, 2021. Betty was born November 12, 1932 in Sedgwick to William Lewis Closson and Evelyn May Gray. She was their only child. Betty Closson grew up in Brooksville and graduated as valedictorian of the Brooksville High School class of 1950. That same year she married Arnold “Bing” Gross of Penobscot and they settled in the town where she would make her mark as a valued member of the community. After raising her four children to school age, she became the first Special Education teacher at Penobscot Elementary School where she worked for 28 years, finally retiring in 1995. Both at the school and at the South Penobscot Baptist Church, she took the lead in children’s artistic and spiritual education. Her accomplishments included directing scores of plays and skits, leading youth choral groups and organizing excursions for the young people of Penobscot. She touched the lives of hundreds of kids with humor, wisdom and compassion. In addition to her youth activities, she was active in the Brooksville High alumni association, a tutor for Literacy Volunteers, and held picnics and outings for the “old folks” from the Nursing Home in town. She was also responsible for thousands of yeast rolls at local public suppers through the decades. Betty was the rock on which her family stood. She was predeceased in 2006 by her husband of 55 years, and her grandson Arnold “Beau” Gross III in 2020. She is survived by her children Arnold “Butch” Gross, Jr. and wife Nancy of Bangor, Belinda Gross of Ithaca, NY, Bill Gross and wife Annie of Hermon, and Ben Gross and wife Susan of Windham. Also, grandchildren Brooke Christopher of Bangor, Hayley Martinez of Beaverton, OR, Heather Sears of East Hampstead, NH; Will Gross of Guilford; Evelyn Gross of Windham and great-grandkids Cameron, Brice, Sadie, Anastasia and Isaac. Special appreciation goes to her niece Alta Gross for all the care and attention provided over the years. She was also blessed with great neighbors, Mark, David, Cordell, Gary and Florence. There will be no services at her request. If you wish to make a donation in Betty’s name, please choose any children’s charity you wish. A private family gathering will be held in the spring at Lakeview Cemetery in Brooksville. Memories and condolences may be shared to the family at www.directcremationofmaine.com