The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Elizabeth (White) Smith
Elizabeth “Betty” Ann (White) Smith, of Portland, passed away on March 10, 2023 with her family by her side at Chestelm Health & Rehabilitation Center. Born in Middletown on April 26, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Marjorie (Beveridge) White.
Betty grew up in Middlefield and lived most of her adult life in Portland. She worked at Lyman Gun Sight before her first marriage and achieved her GED in 1989 from Middletown High School. Betty was married to Donald Denette from 1958 to 1974 and married Richard Smith in 1976 until his death in 2019.
Betty was a true child at heart. She loved being silly with her grandchildren, being their daycare provider and playing games with them, especially checkers and Uno. She also enjoyed making stained glass items and ceramics, watching late night TV, word searches, crossword puzzles and knitting baby blankets.
Betty is survived by her children, Donald R. Denette, Jr. (Susan) of N. Sherwood, AR, Robert Denette (Cyndi) of Surprise, AZ, David Denette (Debra) of East Haddam, CT and Leslie Fickett (Donovan) of Mulberry, FL; stepchildren, Robin Smith (David) of Woodinville, WA, Ingrid Smith of Torrington, CT, Wendy Morgan of Moulton, AL and Heidi Otero (Victor) of Middletown, CT; a sister, Nancy Crosby (Larry) of Durham, NH; seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren and several stepgrandchildren.
Along with her parents and second husband, Betty was predeceased by a brother, Robert W. White.
The family wishes to thank the many caregivers from both Saybrook at Haddam and Chestelm who assisted with her care over the past four years.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 16th at 11:00 am at the Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown. Burial will follow in the Swedish Cemetery in Portland. Family and friends may call before the service from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s memory may be made to the Knitting Ministry @ First Church of Christ, Congregational, P.O. Box 445, East Haddam, CT 06423. Betty was an avid knitter and made over 200 prayer shawls prior to her stroke in 2010. To share memories or send condolences, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.