Mary Elizabeth Sleight

Betty Sleight passed away on November 24, 2011 at a Bangor nursing care facility. She was born on January 29, 1927 in Lubec, Maine, the daughter of William E. Baker and Jane (Higgins) Baker. She graduated from Lubec High School as Valedictorian of her class in 1945, and from Wheaton College in Norton, MA, in 1949. After college she worked at the Institute of Living in Hartford, CT, and then at the Stamford Day Nursery in Stamford, CT. Prior to her marriage, she and her college roommate, Jan McCutcheon, boarded the Queen Elizabeth and traveled to England, Scotland and France.

In 1951 she married Charles K. Sleight, also of Lubec. After residing for several years in Calais, they moved to Milford where they built a home and raised 3 children. Betty taught at the Dr. Lewis S. Libby elementary school for 24 years in first and second grades, a job that she loved. After retiring from teaching in 1987, she did volunteer work for several local organizations. She delivered Meals On Wheels for many years, and also volunteered her time at the Leonand's Mills Living History Museum. She served on the Board of Directors at the Old Town/Orono YMCA and on the Board of Directors at the Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center.

Betty enjoyed traveling, and when her grandchildren were young she traveled with her daughter's family to England and to Bermuda. She spent many summer vacations with them on Martha's Vinyard and Cape Cod, once proving her mettle during an evening swim when an eel had to be hurled from around her neck. She also enjoyed a trip to Italy with 2 childhood companions. She loved attending Bangor Symphony concerts, Penobscot Theatre productions, and other cultural events with her many friends. She also enjoyed many lunches with her family and friends at her favorite restaurant, The Market Cafe. Betty was a devoted dog owner, and she and her golder retriever, Lulu, shared companionship and adventures for 10 years.

She was predeceased by her husband, Charles in 1987, and her brother-in-law, Earland Sleight in 2011. She is survived by a daughter, Carol Sleight Tee and her husband, David F. Tee MD, of Arlington, MA; two sons, William B. Sleight of Milford, and C. Kingsley Sleight of Thomaston; two grandchildren, Katharine Tee of Boston, MA, and Jonathan Tee of Arlington, MA; three nephews, Daryl, Alan, and William Sleight.

Betty made great friends wherever she lived and worked--in Lubec, at Wheaton College. in the local area and at the Lewis S. Libby School. She was known for her warm smile, which she kept through her final days. The family would like to thank the devoted staff at Bangor Nursing and Rehabilitation where Betty resided for the last three and a half years, and where she made many friends among both the staff and the other residents.

In lieu of flowers, it was Betty's wish that donations be made to the Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center, 700 Mount Hope Avenue, Suite 420, Bangor, ME, 04401, The Animal Orphanage, Airport Road, Old Town, ME, 04468, or to a charity of one's choice.

A celebration of Betty's life will take place at the Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main Street in Old Town on Saturday Dec., 10 at 2 PM.