Bette Brown Obituary
SANDOWN, N.H. — Bette A. (Wegenka) Brown, 53, of Sandown, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 in Deerfield from injuries sustained in an all-terrain vehicle accident.
Born in Fitchburg, daughter of the late Robert and Beverly (Jeffrey) Wegenka, she graduated from High School in Rochester, N.Y., and received her Bachelor of Arts in history from Fitchburg State College. She later received her master's degree in business from Lesley College and was presently completing work on an additional degree in education from St. Joseph University in Philadelphia.
Bette has been employed for the past 20 years at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, and most recently as the facilities manager at the North Andover campus and CDL program manager.
A resident of Sandown since 1999, she was a former longtime resident of Derry, N.H. and Merrimac. She was a former member of the Merrimacport Congregational Church and member of the church choir.
Among Bette's varied interests, she enjoyed singing, karaoke, gardening, painting, traveling, fishing, photography, camping, RV traveling, trips to the beach, slot-car racing and watching sports car racing. She also held two black belts in Karate.
She is survived by her best friend and husband of 30 years, Jaime L. Brown; twin sister, Bonnie Wegenka of Rochester, N.Y.; sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Bill Morrow of Ft. Myers, Fla.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill and Mary Wegenka of Greensboro, N.C. and Bobby and Linda Wegenka of Charlotte, N.C.; a nephew, Billy Morrow of Ft. Myers; and longtime family friend, Jenny La Brake of Rochester, N.Y.; also several aunts, uncles and cousins.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of life service to be held on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. at the Hampstead Congregational Church, Main Street, (Route 121) Hampstead, N.H. A reception for family and friends will follow in Hadley Hall of the church. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow, N.H.
This obituary was originally published in the Eagle-Tribune.
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Our 20th Anniversary
Jaime rown
November 22, 2009
Bette's smiles over the years.
November 14, 2009
Wedding day leaving the church, 1979
November 14, 2009
Bette & Jaime Dating in 1978 or 1979
November 14, 2009
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Bette in the 1970's (left) Bonnie (Right)
November 14, 2009
Bette in the 1960's (right) Bonnie (left)
November 14, 2009
November 11, 2009
We would like to express our condolences. Although we never met Bette in person, we felt like we knew her from all of our conversations with Bonnie at church. She was a very special part of Bonnie's life. We are thinking of you and praying for you all. Remember Jesus loves you more than any of us.
With Lots of love in Christ,
The Toth Family ( Shawn, Linda, Michael, Jacob, Adriana, Breanne,& Kaitlyn)
Elyse Berube
October 30, 2009
I just learned about Bette last night. I am so sorry. We worked together in DCE and I have met you and been to your home. My husband, Brian, also worked with Bette, he worked at the help desk.
Bette loved life to its fullest and always spoke of her husband, Jaime with love, and delight in her heart.
Bette was a great model for super relationships with friends and her husband.
Our prayers are with all of Bette's family.
October 30, 2009
Karl Bona
Frances & Jim Rothwein
October 29, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
veronica wilkinson
October 29, 2009
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Matt Day
October 29, 2009
We will all miss you my thoughts and prayers are with your failly at this time may you find comfort in each other and remember her as she was. A wonderful and thoughtful woman.
Louis Lascelles
October 29, 2009
WE All Miss You .
October 29, 2009
When we lose someone we love it seems that time stands still. What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch.
We may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget.
cathy wegenka Funkhouser
October 29, 2009
Jamie, Billy, bobby brenda, bonnie, Know that you and all your families are in my prayers...i pray for the Lord to give you love and peace at this time of sorrow.. In HIM cathy wegenka funkhouser
October 29, 2009
Jamie,
Words cannot express how sad we are for you. Bette was an amazing woman and we will always cherish the moments we had with you both. The love and friendship you always gave to others and especially to each other is truly a gift.
Our hearts go out to you.
Paul and Maureen Zeidler
Our 30th wedding Anniversary in September 09
October 29, 2009
Bette about 2 weeks before...
October 29, 2009
Armando Trasoline
October 29, 2009
Dear Jaime and Family,
Please accept my deepest condolences at this time of such terrible loss....I worked with Betty at necc for 2 yrs and had the pleasure of getting to know her through our association at the school. Bette always had more than just a "hello"...she always had something positive or pleasant or genuinely complimentary to say. our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time...
Ray & Linda Vienneau
October 28, 2009
Jamie,
We took karate with you and Bette several years ago and went to a cookout at your house. Darryl just told us of the news. We are very saddened. We liked Bette very much. She was so upbeat and always smiling. Working with Bette in karate was fun, I was barely 4'10" and she was so much taller! We are so sorry for your loss!
October 28, 2009
Dear Jaime,
Bette was the most caring, wonderful woman I have ever met in my life. She was truly an angel, and touched everyone that had the pleasure of meeting her. I did not know her well, but she was so kind and considerate, and I feel lucky to have met her at all. May your beautiful memories of Bette sustain you during this most difficult time.
With Sincere Sympathy,
Heidi Ford
Rosa Silva
October 28, 2009
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. Bette was always smiling, a very happy person and that is how i will remember her. My deepest sympathies.
October 28, 2009
Jaime - Bill & I were so shocked to hear of Bette's terrible accident! Bette was a woman like no other and I feel honored to have known her. She was strong, smart, and fun to be around. I can't even imagine what you are going through right now and I am so sorry for your horrible loss. If there is anything Bill or I could ever do, please do not hestitate to ask. Love always, Cheryl Perkins
Candy Rentas
October 28, 2009
Hey Jamie, there are no words are consolation when someone as wonderful as Bette is taken so unexpectedly, it seems sooo unfair. Just last week she came into Academic Affairs and we chatted for a while, she always kept me updated on Tommy and whatever new mischief he was up too. She was once my boss, but above all, always and forever my friend, she will be royally missed.
My deepeset sympathy to you and the family
October 28, 2009
Dear Jamie,
As your neighbor of 10 years I was saddened and shocked to hear of Bette's passing on Sunday. As you know I lost my husband Roy 3 years ago now and feel as I could help you if you ever need a friend to talk to. I knew Bette as a lovely lady, a wonderful neighbor and just an all around nice nice person, my heart breaks for you. Keep me in mind if you ever need a shoulder to lean on. My heartfeld sympathy goes out to you. Sincerely Susan Bryant
Kevin and Joanne Bresnahan
October 28, 2009
Jaime,
Joanne & I are thinking of you during this most difficult time.
Thinking back, I can't remember a time when Bette didn't smile. We were lucky to have known her.
fran iacopucci
October 27, 2009
we lost our fishing buddy i still have a beautiful picture of my son and his friend holding up a huge bass. bette and her sister where fishing on the beach and took the photo she made a copy of it and made sure we got it. what a nice jesture. thats the kind of person she was.i am the treasurer of the trues parkway association my name is fran. i would run into bette at hanafords or on the beach she was so friendly. she will be missed my son would fish at the beach with her and always come home and tell me about how she talked to him. he liked her. is it true she would eat the sunfish she caught. my son always tells that story. i am so sorry for your loss. we loss a nice nice human also
October 27, 2009
we lost our fishing buddy i still have a beautiful picture of my son and his friend holding up a huge bass. bette and her sister where fishing on the beach and took the photo she made a copy of it and made sure we got it. what a nice jesture. thats the kind of person she was.i am the treasurer of the trues parkway association my name is fran. i would run into bette at hanafords or on the beach she was so friendly. she will be missed my son would fish at the beach with her and always come home and tell me about how she talked to him. he liked her. is it true she would eat the sunfish she caught. my son always tells that story. i am so sorry for your loss. we loss a nice nice human also
Linda Brantley
October 27, 2009
I just learned of Bette's passing from a former NECC colleague ....I was shocked and saddened to know that such a vibrant woman has left this earth. She always had a smile, incredible energy and good words for others. She will be missed.
Cindi Powell
October 27, 2009
Dear Jaime and Family, Knowing Bette and her family for 47 yrs I will cherish many stories and fond memories.I am so deeply saddened.Please accept my condolences and prayers.God Bless you Jaime,Bob Bill, Bonnie and Brenda and all of the family I never met but knew how much Bette loved...May her smile,compassion, and that witty sense of humor bring you loving memories to hold dear.Please accept my condolences and prayers.
October 27, 2009
Jaime,
My deepest sympathies at this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Becki McTaggart
October 27, 2009
We didn't know Bette very well, but enjoyed an evening with her several years ago when she was in Nashville. It sounds like she was and will continue to be an inspiration to others.Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Roch and Pam Wegenka
Fran Durant
October 27, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
October 27, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Wayne Kelly
October 27, 2009
Jamie and family,
I am deeply sorry for the loss of an exeptionaly wonderful person as Bette was. When she was near I saw her thoughtfulness and her way of lifting everyones spirits. Bette will be missed by all that knew her.
Daniel O'Sullivan
October 27, 2009
Although I only knew Bette for a short time, I was deeply saddened by the news. She will be missed.
Anna Hooven
October 27, 2009
Jamie,
Our hearts cry for your loss. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Deepest Sympathy,
Anna Hooven & Nancy Pisiello
October 27, 2009
Dear Jamie,
I am so terribly sorry for your loss. As you know, she always had a smile on her face and a kind word and a positive attitude toward life. I remember working in DCE with her and Betty #2 and it was a constant joy to watch those two interact. They really were like sisters. My heart goes out to you at this most difficult time in your life, but I truly believe that Bette and her love will be forever by your side. God Bless
My Deepest Sympathy,
Patricia Bird
Chad Duff
October 27, 2009
Although I knew Bette only a short time, we had many wonderful conversations. She often spoke of her goals and ambitions, mentioning her nephew in Florida all the time. She was not only a student that I worked with but considered a friend as well. I will miss our conversations. She will be greatly missed.
Elizabeth Santana
October 27, 2009
Jaime,
I can not imagine what you are going through. Please know I am here for you when you need a friend. I know we never lose the people we love. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. Each soul leaves a legacy of love...each memory a bridge to comfort and connect one heart to another forever. Bette will be greatly missed and her memory will always be a part of us. I’ll never forget all the advice she gave me throughout the years. She was my boss and my mentor and sometimes my ‘work mother’. She always believed in me and tried (very hard) to help me not sweat the small stuff in life.
Paula Emerson
October 27, 2009
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
October 27, 2009
Jaime,
Words cannot express my sorrow over the loss of your wife and my co-worker. What a fabulous person - so full of energy and love of life. I am so sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers! God bless!!
Bonnie Doherty
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