Obituary of Elizabeth K. Howard

BELFAST - Elizabeth “Betty” Kimball Howard, 95, passed away peacefully on April 23,2020 at The Commons at Tall Pines in Belfast, Maine. Betty was born in Malden, MA, June 30, 1924, the daughter of Parker S. and Alice Armstrong Kimball. She was an avid tennis player, violinist, and horseback rider. Betty was active in the choir at Harvard Congregational Church, Brookline, MA. For 20 years Alice A. Kimball, her mother, ran summer residential camps, Bonheur and Bonte, on Lake Winnipesaukee in Moultonborough, NH. Betty spent summers there and became the camp riding instructor and fencing coach. Later her parents were owners and innkeepers at Country Fare, A Cozy Inn, Moultonborough, New Hampshire. Betty attended Malden (Massachusetts) High School and graduated from Northfield School of Girls, Northfield, Massachusetts. She entered Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, in 1942, majoring in sociology and psychology. Betty was active in student government and played violin in the campus orchestra. In 1945, she married ENS John C. Howard, USNR, who had attended the Naval V-12 school at Bates. After being stationed in Yorktown, VA, and Washington, DC, the couple resided in Bangor, Maine. The Howards lived 52 years on Blueberry Farm in Orrington. Betty was active in family, school, and community services. While raising five children, for two years she ran a private kindergarten out of her home and for five years was a “Welcome Wagon Lady”, welcoming and orienting new families to Orrington and its surroundings. Betty returned to school at the University of Maine, Orono, receiving both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in education. Mrs. Howard committed 25 years of her professional life to the children of Orrington. She taught school at several levels and specialized in the teaching of reading as a consultant, teacher and director of the Title 1 summer school. At the Orrington Corner Methodist Church (FUMCO) she served as Sunday School Superintendent, youth leader, choir member, and on several committees. With her family, Betty produced the church pageant, “The Christmas Mystery,” for 25 years. She also served Orrington’s youth through her many roles as Cub Scout den mother, Brownie leader and Y-Teen leader. Daughter Deborah became a decorated Girl Scout and High Adventure camping leader. John Alan, Peter and Tom each became Eagle Scouts in BSA Troop 44. The John Howards volunteered at Baxter State Park (1984 -2003) doing park maintenance projects, providing staff relief at various gate locations, and assisting in registration procedures at Headquarters in Millinocket. Betty enjoyed her contact with the “Volunteers for Peace “program, shuttling international youth to and from the park each summer. Recognition of Betty’s commitment to public service and leadership in youth/community venues included the Orrington Jaycee Teacher of the Year award and her listing in “Leaders in Elementary Education.” In 1998 John and Betty retired to Penobscot Shores, Belfast, Maine, and were active in the community arranging theater trips to Ellsworth and other venues. Betty served as a residents’ representative to Penobscot Shores management. She trained and worked with Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County the Belfast area. Later, Betty moved to Tall Pines, living at The Residence and The Commons. Mrs. Howard was predeceased her husband, John C. Howard, in 2003 and her son, David Kimball Howard, in 1953. Her sister, Carol Kimball Young, died in 2017. Betty is survived by four children: son, John Alan Howard and wife, Melanie J., of Winter Garden, FL; son, Dr. Peter J. Howard and wife, Catherine N., of Windsor, SC; daughter, Deborah F. Howard and husband, Thomas R. Girard, of Kennebunk, ME; son, Thomas A. Howard and wife, Christine “DeeDee”, of Moultonborough, NH. She is remembered and missed by her five grandchildren: Jennifer A. Cannon and husband, Scott Cannon, of Phoenix, AR; Matthew J. Howard and wife, Sarah, of Winter Garden, FL; Joshua D. Howard and wife, Nicole J., of Winter Garden, FL; Kurt Casey and wife, Skipper, of Brookline, MA; and Frances “Frannie” Barrows and husband, Christopher, of USAF BASE, AZ. Her three great-grandchildren, David C. Howard, Nathan J. Howard, and Rachel E. Howard, of Winter Garden, FL, will carry on “Great Grammie’s” legacy. Plans are pending at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to:Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County, P. O. Box 772, Belfast, ME 04915. Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home,182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast. Memories and condolences may be offered to the family at ww.ripostafh.com