Betty Anne Briehl

Betty Briehl died in Kula, Maui, Hawaii, on March 28, 2024, three weeks after suffering a debilitating stroke. She was born on May 2, 1938, in the Bronx, NY, to Ben and Mildred Stein. She was grateful to her mother for teaching her to read at an early age, a favorite pastime that continued the rest of her life. She learned to love taking walks, another lifelong activity, from her father, who took Betty and her brother Matt on walking excursions around the city every Sunday.

When she found Fred, she discovered the joy of rural life at his family’s farm and guesthouse in Wallkill, NY, and began with Fred a new life of adopting and loving four-legged beings, in their home in Bucks County, PA. Cats and dogs were an important part of her life, especially her yellow Labrador Sam. Betty also enjoyed watching birds and was an active member of the Bucks County Audubon Society.Betty attended SUNY at New Paltz, and because of a severe teacher shortage, she taught second grade in Medford, NJ, for two years before obtaining her teaching degree. After a year of teaching fourth grade in Pennsbury, PA, she taught in grades 1-4 in New Hope, PA, for more than 30 years. She and Fred took trips with other teachers to destinations around the world, and they often drove to Prince Edward Island to visit Fred’s relatives.

Betty and Fred explored much of coastal Maine in the summers before looking for a place to call home. When they drove down a lane in Penobscot, a fox crossed in front of them and an eagle landed in a large pine tree overlooking the Penobscot River. Betty said, “This is it.” They spent several summers in Penobscot before becoming year-round residents. Betty enjoyed watching wildlife creatures, and she always looked forward to meeting dog friends on long walks. She and Fred took breaks from the Maine winters to camp with their pets at Jekyll Island, Georgia, and to enjoy their condo in Lahaina, Maui, where they moved full-time in December 2023.

Betty is survived by her husband of 65 years, Fred; her sister Joyce of Pennsylvania, and her cousin Sally of New York. Gifts in Betty’s memory may be made to any local pet care facility.

Arrangements By: Norman's MortuaryOnline Condolences: www.NormansMortuary.com